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MASSACHUSETTS 
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Or-^  1 7  1955 


OECloia 


I./  ".  .  . 


C5 


THE 


HOME    FLORIST: 


A   TREATISE   ON   THE 


CULTIVATION,  MANAGEMENT  AND  ADAPTABILITY 

OF 

nOWERING  AND  ORNAMENTAL  PLANTS, 

DESIGNED    FOR   THE    USE   OF 

AMATEUR  FLORISTS. 

By  ELIA8   A.   LONG, 

Author  of  "Ornaimental  Gardening  for  Americans." 


RE  VISED  AND  ENLARGED. 


1  Llvl  T  STR  ATED, 


SPRINGFIELD,    OHIO. 

CHAS.  A.  REESER,  Seedsman  and  Florist, 

PUBLISHER. 
1885. 


634- 
.4 

L85 


ENTERED    ACCORDING    TO    ACT    OF    CONGRESS,    iN    THE   YEAR    1885, 

By   C.    a.    REESER, 

IN    THE   OFFICE    OF   THE    LIBRARIAN    OF    CONGRESS,    AT  WASHINGTON, 


W)        UNION    AND    ADVERTISER    CD'S    PRIMT,        »)?*• 
ivy^  ROCHESTER,     N.   Y.  ^^ 


IN  DEX. 


PAGE. 

Abelia 124 

Abutilon 125 

Acalypha 126 

Achania 127 

Achillea  127 

Achimenes 127 

Achyranthus 127 

Acroclinium 128 

Adam's  Needle 308 

i.gapanthus 128 

Agave 129 

Ageratum 129 

Agrostemma. . .    130 

Airing  House  Plants 47 

Akebia 130 

AUamanda 131 

Aloysia     131 

Alternanthera 132 

Althea 132 

Alyssum 133 

Amaranthus^ 133 

Amaryllis 134 

Amateur's  Conservatory 55 

American  Pampas 192 

Ammobium 134 

Amomum 135 

Amorphophallus , 135 

Ampelopsis 135 

Anemone 136 

Animated  Oats 137 

Anthericum 137 

Antirrhinum 137 

Annuals  described 122 

Aphis  or  Green  Flv 47 

Aquilegia 139 

Ardisia 139 

Aristolochia 139 

Armeria 1 39 

Artillery  Plant 281 

Asclepias 139 

Aspidistra 140 

Astiibe 142 

Aster 140 

Aucuba 228 

Azalea 142 

Balm 144 

Balsam 142 

Banana 259 

Begonia 144 

' '      Showy  Leaf 149 

"      Tuberous  rooted 150 

Beginners,  advice  to 7 

Bellis  perennis 187 

Biennials,  what  are  123 

Bignonia 150 

Bonapartia 150 

Bougainvillea 150 

Boussingaultia 151 

Bouvardia 151 

Browallia 153 

Brugmansia 153 

Bryophyllum 154 

Bulbs,  autumn  planting  of 32 

"       culture  in  glasses,  pots,  &c.     52 

Buttercup 286 

Cacalia .* 154 

Cactus 155 

Cactus  Dahlia 186 

Caladium 155 

Calandrinia 155 

Calceolaria 1  "56 


PAGE. 

Calendula 157 

California  Poppy 193 

Calla 157 

Calla,  Spotted 288 

Calliopsis 158 

Calycanthus 159 

Camellia 159 

Campanula 160 

Campsidium 161 

Campyiobotrys 161 

Canary  Bird  Flo  v\  er 300 

Candytuft  161 

Canna 161 

Cape  Marigold 157 

Cape  Jasmine 245 

Cardinal  Flower 253 

Carnation 162 

Carpet  Bag  Flower 156 

Castor  Oil  Bean 288 

Celosia 165 

Centaurea 165 

Centradenia 166 

Century   Plant 129 

Cereus 166 

Cestrum 167 

Cherianthus 307 

Chorozema 167 

Chrysanthemum 168 

Cigar  Plant 182 

Cineraria 171 

Cissus  Discolor  171 

Citrus 270 

Clarkia 171 

Clematis 172 

Clerodendron 173 

Cocoloba 174 

Cockscomb 165 

Coix  Lachryma 229 

Coleus 174 

Columbine 139 

Cold  Frames 28 

Cold  Pits  for  Winter 34 

Convolvulus 177 

Conservatory,  Amateurs 56 

Heating 57 

Plans  with  cost 57 

Small 57,     59 

Summer  Management 63 

Winter  Management 61 

Convallaria 251 

Comparative  Value  of  Plants 124 

Coral  Tree 193 

Coreopsis 158 

Crape  Myrtle 245 

Crocus 178 

Crotons 179 

Crown  Imperial 182 

Crowfoot 286 

Cuphea 182 

Cups  and  Saucers 283 

Cuttings,  Propagation  from 35 

Cyclamen." 182 

Cyperus... 183 

Cypress  Vine 239 

Cytisus 184 

Daffodil 262 

Dahlia 185 

Daisy 187 

Daphne 188 

Deutzia 189 

Delphinium 188 


11 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Devil-in-a-bush 264 

Dew  Plant 256 

Dianthus ; 189 

Dicentra 190 

Dieffenbachia 190 

Digitalis 190 

Dracena 191 

Drives ...  19 

Dutchman's  Pipe 139 

Dwarf  Morning  Glory 177 

Easter  Lily 134 

Echevena 191 

Eranthemum 192 

Epiphyllum 155 

Erianthus 192 

Erysimum 193 

Erythrina 193 

Escholtzia 193 

Ethiopian  Lily 157 

Eucharis 193 

Eulalie 193 

Euonymus 194 

Eupatorium 195 

Everlasting  Flowers 195,  230 

Evening  Glory 230 

Fabiana 196 

Farfugium 196 

Ferns 196 

Feather  Grass 229 

Fertilizers  for  pot  plants 49 

Ferneries 51 

Feverfew 197 

Ficus 198 

Fittonia 229 

Flora's  Paint  Brush 154 

Floriculture,  open  air 21 

Floriculture,  work  of  each  week 310 

Flower  Beds,  locating n 

Beds  for  constant  cutting.   .  24 

Designs  for 20 

Manuring 26 

Mixed  bo'-ders 24 

Planting  in  masses 21 

Ribbon  beds 23 

The  soil 25 

Flower  de  Luce 239 

Flowering  Maple 125 

Forget-Me-Not 260' 

Forsythia 198 

Fountain  Plant 134 

Four  O'clock 258 

Fox  Glove 190 

Fritillaria .; 182 

Frozen  Plants,  how  to  treat 51 

Fuchsias 199 

Double  varieties 201 

Single  varieties 200 

Winter-blooming 203 

Funkia 203 

Galanthus 203 

Gardenia 242,  245 

Gazania 204 

Geraniums 205 

Double 211 

Golden  Bronze 223 

Golden  Tricolor 218 

Ivy-leaved 216 

Lady  Washington 274 

Scented  and  Cut-leaved 222 

Silver-leaved 220 

Single  or  Horseshoe 206 


PAGE. 

Gesneria 225 

Gillyflower 295 

Gladiolus    225 

Gloxinias 227 

Glycine 308 

Gnaphalium 227 

Godetia 227 

Golden   Bell 198 

Gold  Dust  Shrub 228 

Golden  Feather 198 

Goldfussia 228 

Gomphrena 228 

Grading  and  Leveling 15 

Grasses  for  Drying 228 

Gymnostachyum 229 

Gynerium 229 

Gypsophila 230 

Habrothamnus 230 

Hanging  Baskets 38 

Plants   for 40 

Heart's  Ease 272 

Hedera 240 

Helianthus ....   230 

Helichrysum 230 

Heliotrope 231 

Helipterum 232 

Hesperis 232 

Heterocentron 232 

Hibiscus - 232 

Hotbeds 28 

House,  Plant  culture  about  the 42 

Hollyhock 234 

Honeysuckle 234 

Hoya 235 

Hyacinth 235 

Hydrangea 236 

Ice   Plant  256 

Impatiens 237 

India  Rubber  Tree 198 

Insects 47i     63 

Angie  Worms. ...    49 

Aphis  or  Green  Fly  47,     63 

Injurious  to  Roses 117 

Mealy  Bug  47 ■,    64 

Red   Spider 47,    64 

Scale 49,     64 

Introduction 6 

Ipomoea ■  238 

Iris 239 

Isolepsis 240 

Ivy 240 

Ivy,  German  or  Parlor 293 

1  vy,  Kenilworth 252 

Ixora.   .  242 

Japonica        159 

Japanese  Chrysanthemum . .  169 

Japanese  Maize 242 

Jasmine 242 

Jerusalem  Cherry 294 

Jessamine 242 

Job's  Tears 229 

Jonquil 262 

Joseph's  Coat 134 

Justicia    245 

Kleinia 245 

Lady's  Ear  Drop 19Q 

Lady  in  the  Green  264 

Lady's  Slipper 142 

Lagerstroemia 245 

Landscape  Gardening,  Notes  of  . . .      9 
Breadth 10 


INDEX. 


Ill 


PAGE, 

Landscape      Gardening-,      Flower 

Beds,  designs  for 20 

Flower  Beds,  locating 11 

Gradingand  Leveling 15 

Planning  the  Work. . .    13 

The    Lawn   17 

The  House 10 

Things  to  be  avoided 12 

Tree  Planting 17 

Trees  an  d  Shrubs 11 

Walks 13 

Walks  and  Drives 19 

What  is  desirable  in  a  place. .       9 

Lantana 245 

Larkspur 188 

Lathyrus 297 

Laurestinus 247 

Lavendula 247 

Lawn,  The 17 

Seeding-  down 18 

Sodding 19 

Layering-,  Propagation  by 36 

Lemon 270 

Lemon  Verbena 131 

Leptosiphon  ...    247 

Libonia 248 

Lifting  Plants 32,     33 

Lily 248 

Lily  of  the  Amazon 193 

Lily,  Calla  or  Ethiopica 157 

Lily  of  the  Valley 251 

Lily,  Water 264 

Lilium 248 

Linaria 252 

Linum 252 

Lobelia 252 

Lonicera 234 

Lopezia 253 

Lophospermum 253 

Lotus         253 

Love  Lies  Bleeding 190 

Lupine 254 

Lupinus 254 

Lychnis 254 

Lycopodium 292 

Lysimachia    255 

Lythrum 255 

Madeira  Vine 151 

Maherni  .i 255 

Maize 242 

Manettia 255 

Manuring  Flower  Beds 26 

Maranta 255 

Mangold 256 

Maurandia 256 

Melissa 144 

Mesembryanthemum    256 

Meyenia 257 

Mignonette 257 

Mildew 64 

"     On  Roses 118 

Mimosa 258 

Mimulus ,  258 

Mirabilis 258 

Mock  Orange 279 

Moccasin  Flower 156 

Moisture,  Maintaining 47 

Moneywort 255 

Monkey  Flower 258 

Montbretia 259 

Moon  Flower 239 


Morning  Glory 177 

Mourning  Bride 2qi 

Musa 259 

Musk  Plant 258 

Myosotis 260 

Myrsiphyllum 260 

Myrtle 262 

Myrtus 262 

Narcissus 262 

Nasturtium 299 

Nemopbila 263 

Nierembergia 263 

Nerium 265 

Nigella 264 

Night  Blooming  Cereus 166 

Nymphsea 264 

Olea 265 

Oleander 265 

Olive 265 

Orange 270 

Orchids 266 

Othonna 270 

Oxalis 271 

Pseonia 271 

Palms 27r 

Pampas  Grass 229 

Pampas,  American 192 

Panicum 272 

Pansy 272 

Papaver 284 

Passion  Flower 274 

Passiflora 274 

Pea    Flowering 297 

Pelargonium 205 ,  274 

Pentstemon 276 

Peperom ia 276 

Peristrophe 276 

Perennials,  What  are 123 

Petunia 276 

Philadelphus 279 

Phlox 279 

Pilea 281 

Pilogyne 281 

Pinks 281 

Pittosporum 282 

Planting  Roses,  a  new  method  of. .  120 

Plants,  House,  managing,  etc 42 

Description  of 40,  122 

Do   Plants  poison  the  air   of 

rooms 55 

Frozen,  How  to  Treat 51 

Keeping  clean 49 

Planning  Gardens 13 

Plantain  Lily 203 

Plumbago 282 

Poinsettia 282 

Polemonium 283 

Polyanthus 283 

Polyanthus  Narcissus 262 

Polygonum 283 

Pomegranate 283 

Pond  Lily 264 

Poppy 2S4 

Poppy,  Californian 193 

Portulaca 284 

Potentilla 285 

Primula 283 

Primula 285 

Prince's  Feather 134 

Propagation 35,  63 

'    Protection  for  House  Plants 46 


IV 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Protection  for  Roses 119 

Pruning  House   Plants 49 

Pruning- Roses   117 

Pyrethrum 197 

Ragged  Robin 254 

Ranunculus 286 

Reineckia 287 

Removal  of  Matured  Flowers 31 

Reseda 257 

Rhodanthe 287 

Rhododendron 287 

Rhyncosoermum .....   288 

Richardi'a 288 

Ricinus 288 

Rivinia 289 

Rondeletia 289 

Rose  Garden,  the 116 

For  Pot-culture  and  Winter- 
blooming  121 

Insects  Injurious   to 117 

Mildew  and  Rust  on 118 

New  method  of  Planting 120 

Protection  during  Winter 119 

Pruning 117 

Rose  of  Sharon 132 

Roses,  Cultivation  and  managem'nt  116 

Roses,  Pot  Fertilizer  for  . .    50 

Roses 65 

Bourbon 85,     87 

Bengal  or  China 85,     90 

Climbing 68,     79 

Hardy 67 

Hybrid  Perpetual 67,     68 

Hvbrid   Tea 86,  no 

June  or  Summer 68,     82 

Moss   ..    68,     80 

Noisette 86,  107 

Polyantha  87,  114 

Prairie 70 

Tea-scented 85,     92 

Tender— Monthly 84 

Rosemarinus 289 

Rosemary 289 

Ruellia 289 

Russelia 289 

Rust  on  Roses 118 

Salvia 290 

Salpiglossis 289 

Sanchezia         291 

Saucer  System  of  Propagation..   ..     38 

Saxif raga 291 

Scabiosa 291 

Schizophragma 237 

Scultelaria 291 

Sea  Pink 139 

Sedum 292 

Seed-beds 28 

Seeding  down  Lawns 18 

Seeds,   Sowing 27 

Selaginella 292 

Selection  of  Plants 44 

Sempervivum 393 

Senecio  293 

Sensitive  Plant 258 

Slips,  Propagation  from 35 

Smilax 260 

Snapdragon 137 

Snowdrop 203 

SoJding .     19 

Soil  The;  Preparation  and  Treatm't    25 
Trenching 26 


PAGE. 

Solanum 293 

Sowing  Seeds 27,  312 

Spirea  294 

Spirea  Japonica 142 

Stephanotis 294 

Slevia.. 294 

Streplosolen  297 

Stock 295 

Summer  Culture 30 

Summer  Watering 30 

Summer  Management  of  Conserva- 
tory       63 

Sunflower 230 

Sweet  Alyssum 133 

Sweet  Pea 297 

Sweet-scented  Shrub i  sg 

Sweet  William 190 

Tabernaemontana 298 

Tagetes 256 

Tecoma 298 

Temperature 44 

Thunbergia 298 

Thyme  ...   299 

Tiger  Flower 299 

Tigridia 299 

Torenia 299 

Tradescantia 299 

Transplanting 30 

Trees  and  Shrubs,  locating n 

Planting 17 

Trellises,  Plants  for 40 

Trenching 26 

Tritoma 302 

Tropeeolum 299 

Trumpet  Creeper 150 

Tuberose 301 

Tulip 300 

Vallota 302 

Vases,  Garden ...    38 

Plants  for 40 

Verbena 303 

Veronica    304 

V^iburnum 305 

Viola  Tricolor 272 

Violet 306 

Virginia  Creeper 135 

Virginian  Stock,   305 

Walks 19 

Wall  Flower 307 

Wandering  Jew 299 

Wardian   Cases 51 

Watering,  Summer 30 

House  Plants 47 

Water  Lily 264 

Wax  Plant 235 

Weigela 307 

Window  Boxes 43 

Window  Plant  Culture 42 

Wmier-blooming,  Roses  for 121 

Winter  Culture  of  House  Plants,. .     44 
Winter       Flowering,       Preparing 

plants  for 31 

Winter  Managm't  of  Conservatory    6j 

Winter  Plant  Quarters,  the 44 

Wistaria 308 

Woodbine 234 

Work  arranged  by  weeks  310 

Xeranthemum 308 

Yucca 308 

Zebra  Grass 194 

Zinnia 308 


Preface  to  the  Revised  Edition. 

When  the  Home  Florist  was  written,  ten  years  ago,  I  did  not 
realize  that  it  was  destined  to  fill  the  useful  place  in  the  garden- 
ing literature  of  our  country,  which  it  has  done  by  the  kindness 
of  a  most  forbearing  public,  towards  its  many  and  conspicuous 
shortcomings.  The  original  work  was  written  hastily  in  snatches 
of  time  between  the  pressing  duties  of  a  complicated  business, 
and  was  always  far  from  satisfactory  to  me,  owing  to  its  many 
faults,  mostly  due  to  hasty  composition.  In  the  present  revision 
pains  have  been  taken  to  make  amends  for  past  defects,  while 
considerable  new  matter  has  also  been  added.  The  work  now 
goes  forth  in  the  belief  that  it  will  more  fully  than  it  ever  could 
in  the  past,  meet  the  demand  for  information  on  the  subject  of 
flower  growing  about  the  home,  and  adapted  to  the  wants  of 
amateurs. 

Eli  AS  A.  Loisg. 

Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  July  19, 1884. 


INTRODUCTION. 


'THE  cultivation  of  plants  for  the  sake  of  their  beautiful  flow- 
-■■  ers,  and  other  attractions,  has  from  the  earliest  ages  received  at- 
tention wherever  civilization  has  made  some  progress.  Floriculture 
as  an  art,  however,  is  so  susceptible  to  influences  of  climate,  soil, 
heat,  cold  and  other  conditions,  that,  notwithstanding  it  may  claim 
antiquity,  anything  like  general  progress  in  all  lands  has  been 
impeded  by  reason  of  this  very  fact.  Whatever  knowledge  may 
have  been  gained  in  the  art,  during  one  age  or  in  one  country, 
when  apnlied  to  another,  is  found  to  be  practically  useful  only  to 
the  extent  in  which  it  finds  a  state  of  adaptability  in  the  other. 
Hence,  it  may  be  said  that  in  each  nation  the  practice  of  Flori- 
culture is  peculiar,  and  differing  from  that  of  every  other  nation. 

In  our  own  country  the  cultivation  of  plants  and  flowers  has 
only  of  late  years  received  any  great  degree  of  attention.  While 
from  the  first  it  was,  of  course,  realized  that  the  practice  must  be 
somewhat  distinct  from  that  of  other  countries,  now  after  some 
years  of  practical  schooling,  we  may  claim  to  have  adopted  a 
system  which  is  entitled  to  be  considered  in  the  fullest  sense,  as 
American.  It  has  been  only  about  twenty  years  since  a  general 
manifestation  of  interest  in  Floriculture,  by  the  masses  of  people, 
has  been  apparent,  but  from  a  preceptible  awakening,  about  that 
time,  there  has  been  a  continual  and  rapid  increase,  until  now, 
when  we  find  nearly  everybody  devoting  more  or  less  attention  to 
the  culture  of  flowers. 

What  is  felt  to  be  the  greatest  need  of  the  day  in  the  further 
promotion  of  Floriculture,  is  the  more  general  dissemination  of 
correct  knowledge  concerning  the  kinds  of  plants  and  flowers 
most  suitable  for  the  American  cultivator,  and  also  regarding 
their  culture,  all  brought  down  to  such  a  simple  matter  as  to  be 
adapted  to  the  wants  of  inexperienced  amateurs.  It  is  with  an 
appreciation  of  such  a  need  that  the  author  and  publisher  of  the 
present  work  take  pleasure  in  presenting  it  to  the  public,  as  a  book 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  7 

of  instruction,  relative  to  the  proper  means  of  managing  many 
kinds  of  plants  used  for  the  adornment  of  American  homes.  It 
is  designed  to  aid  all  classes  of  cultivators,  but  especially  those 
who  aspire  to  the  rearing  of  a  choicer  class  of  plants  and  flowers 
than  are  common  in  perhaps  the  majority  of  homes  where  Flori- 
culture is  now  receiving  attention  ;  aiming  to  carry  those  who 
adopt  its  teachings  over  obstacles  which  tend  to  cause  failure  and 
discouragement,  and  to  promote  an  interest  in  every  plant  that 
is  cultivated. 

A  good  indication  of  progress  in  amateur  Floriculture  is  shown 
at  the  present  time,  in  the  fact  that  the  people  are  learning  that 
more  than  only  seeds,  or  bulbs,  or  plants  alone,  are  required  for 
beautifying  gardens  and  homes  with  flowers  ;  that  in  the  best 
kept  gardens  judicious  selections  of  some  of  each  should  be  used 
for  producing  the  finest  results.     No  matter,  scarcely,  to  how 
limited  an  extent  the  culture  of  flowers  is  engaged  in,  it  can  be 
better  done,  and  becomes  more  interesting,  by  including  in  the  stock 
cultivated,  perennial  greenhouse  plants,  hardy  bidbs,  tubers  and 
seed-grown  plants — than  by  limiting  the  stock  to  varieties  of  any 
one  class.     Even  where  the  stock  must  be  purchased  from  the 
florist  and  seedsmen,  this  rule  will  hold  good,  no  matter  how  small 
is  the  amount  to  be  invested.     I  have  seen  gardens  where  none 
but  annuals  and  other  seed-grown  plants  were  employed,  which 
were  beautiful  during  the  entire  summer  season,   and  I  always 
advise  persons  who  expend  but  little  for  floral  decorations  to  de- 
pend largely  on  these  for  their  flowers.     But  where  richness  of 
color,  exquisite  fragrance,  and  strong  contrasts  in  foliage  are 
sought,  some  green-house  plants  and  bulbs  are  also  required. 
Planting  even  a  few  scarlet  Geraniums,  Lantanas,   Gladiolus, 
Heliotropes,  Hyacinths  and  other  hardy  bulbs,  monthly   Roses 
and  others  along  with  the  seed-grown  kinds,  will  add  to  the  grounds 
a  brilliancy  of  coloring  and  afford  an  abundance  of  bloom  daily 
from  early  in  the  spring  until  October,  and  with  many,  even  in 
November,  which  would  be  impossible  with  seed-grown  things 
alone.     It  is  also  a  great  feat  to  nicely  stock  a  hanging  basket, 
vase  or  window  box  without  the  use  of  green-house  plants. 

New  beginners  sometimes  have  over-ambitious  ideas  in  regard 
to  selecting  stock  for  their  flrst  attempts.  It  is  a  poor  plan  for 
such  to  invest  largely  in  all  kinds  of  stock  found  m  the  catalogues 
as  a  first  step.     Let  them  begin  by  selecting  sorts  that  are  known 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


to  be  easily  grown,  and  then  gain  all  the  information  possible 
relative  to  treatment,  soil,  time  of  sowing,  etc.,  and  be  sure  to 
devote  to  these  their  best  attention  the  season  through.  Thus  it 
will  be  found  that  even  a  few  choice  plants,  besides  the  product 
from  half  a  dozen  packets  of  flower  seeds  will  give  far  more  real 
enjoyment  to  the  cultivator  than  a  hundred  things  in  a  neglected 
condition,  through  ignorance  of  what  they  need.  And  let  me 
warn  even  the  most  careful  new  beginners  that  they  must  expect 
to  meet  with  some  little  difficulties  and  drawbacks,  which,  by 
unpropitious  weather,  or  other  causes,  always  will  attend  flcri- 
cultural  operations.  In  these  the  young  florist  who  has  a  love 
for  the  work  and  its  fruits  should  find  no  cause  for  being  discour- 
aged. The  most  skilful  florist  has  always  something  to  learn  ; 
and  no  mistake  will  be  made  but  you  will  be  wiser  for  it,  and  the 
better  prepared  for  future  emergencies.  Success,  gained  at  the 
expense  of  slight  failures  and  inconveniences,  will  be  enjoyed  the 
more  for  them  afterwards.  After  each  succeeding  season's  expe- 
rience you  will  see  the  safety  of  striking  out  more  boldly  in  pur- 
chases and  plans,  and  each  year  will  place  you  higher  up  that 
scale  to  perfection  which  every  cultivator  of  flowers  aspires  to. 

Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  October,  1874.  E.  A.  L. 


THE  HOME  FLORIST. 


Notes  on  Landscape  Gardening. 

As  being  somewhat  distinct  from  laying  out  large  grounds, 
parks,  etc.,  the  present  chapter  is  devoted  to  that  more  limited 
branch  of  rural  adornment  about  homes,  in  which  the  majority 
of  people  outside  of  the  crowded  parts  of  large  cities  are  inter- 
ested, and  the  planning  of  which  usually  devolves  upon  the  own- 
ers or  occupants.  That  a  marked  degree  of  incongruity  and  dull 
ness  exists  in  the  ground  improvements  of  the  majority  of  Amer- 
ican homes  cannot  be  denied,  but  this  perhaps  arises  oftener  from 
lack  of  useful  information,  ignorance  of  correct  principles,  and 
through  not  fully  realizing  the  importance  of  thoroughly  execut- 
ing work  of  this  nature,  than  from  any  real  want  of  apj)reciation 
of  w^hat  is  tasteful  and  elegant  in  ornamental  gardening  in  the 
minds  of  the  people. 

What  is  Desirable  in  a  Place.— To  be  most  delightful,  a 
place  of  residence  should  be  surrounded  with  ground  of  sufficient 
area  to  devote  some  parts  to  a  fine  lawn,  others  to  flower  beds, 
shrubbery,  trees,  etc.,  in  groups  or  singly,  and  then  the  necessary 
walks  and  drives,  besides  it  may  be  arbors,  fountains,  a  conserva- 
tory, rockeries,  fern  gardens,  lakelets,  etc.  The  area  need  not  be 
very  extensive  to  allow  of  some  or  all  of  these  and  be  rendered 
very  attractive,  provided  tlie  arrangement  is  in  good  taste,  and 
all  operations  which  contribute  to  the  improvements  are  thor- 
oughly performed,  and  the  after  care  is  what  it  should  be. 


lO  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

In  all  cases  of  improving  grounds  the  house  should  be  considered 
as  the  chief  feature  with  which  we  have  to  deal,  and  the  chief 
point  of  vision  in  a  place.  When  the  house  is  already  present, 
and  the  grounds  have  been  improved  in  a  measure,  perhaps  all 
that  may  be  desirable  will  be  to  introduce  some  new  improve- 
ments, or  to  remove  or  alter  any  features  which  are  found  to  be 
objectionable.  With  homes  that  are  still  in  contemplation,  there 
is  the  advantage  of  being  able  to  arrange  the  various  features  at 
will,  giving  to  each  and  all  ample  study  and  forethought,  and 
then  finally  deciding  upon  such  a  plan  as  combines  the  greatest 
number  of  excellencies. 

Largeness  of  extent  is  no  doubt  very  desirable  in  ornamental 
grounds,  but  the  fact  that  everything  connected  with  construc- 
tion and  maintenance  requires  a  good  deal  of  labor  and  expense, 
must  never  be  lost  sight  of.  In  every  instance  it  would  be  better 
to  decide  upon  a  retraction  of  area,  than  to  attempt  work  on  a 
large  scale  with  too  small  an  outlay.  Surroundings  consisting  of 
a  fourth  of  an  acre  of  land,  improved  in  the  most  perfect  man- 
ner, will  be  infinitely  more  satisfactory  and  enjoyable  to  the 
owner  than  a  half  or  whole  acre,  with  the  same  amount  of  labor 
and  expense  bestowed  upon  the  improvements.  There  is  such  a 
thing,  too,  as  augmenting  the  appearance  of  extent  in  a  place,  be 
it  large  or  small. 

A.  garden  of  any  size  will  always  look  more  limited  in  breadth 
without  a  good  open  piece  of  lawn,  and  one  broad  glade  of  grass 
at  least  should  stretch  from  the  best  windows  of  the  house  to 
within  a  short  distance  of  the  boundary  at  the  farthest  point, 
with  as  little  interruption  from  walks,  trees  or  other  objects  as 
possible.  Harmony  of  parts  and  simplicity  of  arrangement  also 
maintain  the  idea  of  size,  for  where  everything  is  linked  together 
to  form  a  united  whole,  there  will  be  none  of  that  division  of  in- 
terest which  tends  to  make  a  place  appear  still  smaller.  A  place 
that  is  laid  out  in  a  formal  manner — in  the  geometrical  style — 
where  all  walks,  flower  beds  and  plantings  are  arranged  with  a 
degree  of  regularity,  in  which  the  various  lines  and  parts  bear  a 
geometric  relation  to  each  other,  will,  unless  very  extensive,  al- 
ways look  smaller  than  it  really  is,  and  very  much  less  than  one 
treated  in  a  more  irregular  and  natural  way.  Where  the  space 
will  at  all  justify  it,  the  walks,  shrubs,  flower  beds,  etc.,  should 
be  so  disposed  of  as  to  afford  as  many  different  views  as  possible, 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  II 

Walks,  in  which  graceful  and  easy  curves  are  introduced,  are 
more  pleasing  than  if  made  entirely  straight,  especially  in  small 
places,  as  straight  walks  or  any  straight  lines  reuuire  length  to 
show  them  to  advantage. 

Trees  and  shrubs  are  always  more  effective  if  arranged  largely 
in  groups, making  the  planting  heaviest  next  the  boundary  fences 
— in  preference  to  the  style  of  planting  in  straight  lines,  parallel 
with  the  street,  straight  walks,  etc.  The  projections, 
made  by  curves  in  winding  walks  and  the  points  form- 
ed by  angles,  are  suitable  for  accommodating  groups,  hav- 
ing these  extend  back  from  the  walk  somew^hat,  but  the 
inner  points  should  be  limited  to  such  a  distance  as  will  keep 
the  centre  of  the  grass  plat  open.  It  will  be  allowable,  however 
even  in  a  small  place,  to  plant  here  and  there  some  what  centrally, 
small,  irregular  groups  or  single  trees  or  shrubs  of  fine  form  and 
appearance,  while  in  large  places  stronger  groups  may  be  set  with 
a  view  to  breaking  the  distance  and  opening  new  scenes  or  jjarts 
in  the  grounds. 

Flower  beds  are  most  effective  if  located  in  outward  bends, 
formed  by  walks,  or  in  chaste,  well-balanced  designs,  thrown 
across  the  line  of  a  walk  or  opposite  a  bay  or  other  window  of 
the  dwelling.  They  may  also  come  in  as  borders  or  in  the  shape 
of  numerous  small  beds  of  round  or  other  forms,  on  each  side  of 
walks,  or  be  located  at  distant  points  on  the  lawn,  to  be  viewed 
from  the  dwelling  or  street.  Sometimes  an  excellent  effect  is 
created  by  making  a  compound  bed  in  the  line  of  the  walk,  with 
the  walk  passing  on  each  side  and  through  it,  as  shown  in  Fig.  14. 

Where  thfre  is  an  opportunity  of  connecting  a  lawn  with  a 
closely  fed  meadow  or  pasture  lot,  which  is  almost  on  the  same 
level,  separating  the  two  by  means  of  a  wire  fence  or  one  con- 
structed in  a  depression,  either  natural  or  artificial,  a  place, 
may  be  enlarged  in  appearance.  If  some  groups  of  trees  were  to 
be  planted  in  such  a  meadow,  they  might  be  made  to  impart 
to  it  quite  a  i)ark-like  character. 

It  is  frequently  possible  to  keep  some  object  outside  the  grounds 
in  view  from  a  principal  window  or  garden  seat,  and  where,  from 
its  attractiveness,  it  may  seem  desirable  to  do  so,  the  planting  of 
trees  should  be  done  to  effect  this.  It  may  be  a  neighborino-  vil- 
lage, a  distant  mountian  peak,  or  a  steeple,  or  some  edifice  posses- 
sing an  air  of  romance,  and  perhaps  the  plantings  may  be  so  ar- 


12  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

ranged  as  to  give  it  a  beautiful  setting  between  the  trees.     By  Fig. 

1,  it  will  be  seen  how,  if  a  desirable  view  is  in  the  direction  of  A  the 

trees  should  be  planted  on  each  side  of  the  line  of  vision,  to  keep  the 

object  in  sight.    Sometime  an  object  in  some 

direction  possesses  an  offensive  appearance, 

making  it  desirable  to  shut  it  from  sight. 

In  the  same  figure  we  will  suppose  such  is 

the  case  in  the  direction  of  B.     It  is  plainly 

noticeable  how  trees  can  be  thrown  across 

the  line  of  vision  to  entirely  hide  the  object. 

For  this  latter  purpose,  evergreens  are  to  be  #\^s 

preferred,  because  ot  their  being  continually  \\ 

in  foliage.  ^ 

Fig.  1. 
Things  to  be  Avoided, — In  the  first  place  let  me  say, 
avoid  attempting  too  much  by  applying  the  labor  and  expense 
necessary  to  put  a  place  of  a  certain  size  in  order  to  one  of  twice 
or  three  times  the  size,  and  consequently  doing  the  work  one- 
half  or  one-third  as  w^ell. 

Simplicity  is  a  prime  element  in  beauty,  and  nothing  can  be 
more  objectionable,  in  small  places  especially,  than  intricacy  of 
design,  or  the  prevalance  of  an  air  of  ostentation.  Avoid  crowd- 
ing numerous  flower-beds  or  groups  of  shrubs  or  trees  about  the 
lawn,  especially  if  it  be  a  small  one . 

In  deciding  upon  a  plan  for  your  place,  avoid  tlie  two  extremes 
of  exposing  it  too  much,  or  of  rendering  it  too  secluded  by  plant- 
ing too  many,  especially  of  large  growing  trees.  Errors  are  fre- 
quently committed  in  planting  Hardy  Evergreens  and  Deciduous 
trees,  by  not  taking  ' '  one  long  look  ahead."  Many  instances  have 
come  under  my  observation  where  Norway  Spruce,  Pines,  or  other 
trees,  which,  with  age,  grow  to  large  size,  have  been  planted 
while  small  close  to  walks,  or  perhaps  the  fence,  house,  or  other 
trees,  in  groups,  without  calculating  for  their  future  growth  or 
spread.  Such  mistakes  are  not  so  evident  to  the  planter  while 
the  trees  are  young,  but  after  some  years  of  growth,  and  after  it 
is  too  late  to  remedy  the  matter,  they  encroach  upon  the  walks 
or  house  or  injure  other  trees,  which  it  is  now  also  noticeable 
where  planted  too  close. 

Planting  ornamental  trees  is  a  work  requiring  forethought. 
It  is  not  altogether  for  the  present  immediate  effect  that  it  is  done, 
but  for  time  far  distant  as  well,  and  one  needs  to  have  the  full- 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  1 3 

grown  form,  size  and  appearance  in  his  mind's  eye  at  the  time  of 
planting,  if  he  would  avoid  making  blunders  which  never  can  be 
corrected. 

Never  locate  walks  and  drives  unless  there  is  either  a  real  or  ap- 
parent need  of  them.  Walks  may  lead  to  a  flower  bed  in  the  lawn  or 
to  a  seat  or  arbor,  or  be  carried  through  the  outskirts  of  the  grounds, 
but  there  should  always  be  a  meaning  connected  with  their  exist- 
ence— some  objects  of  interest  in  close  proximity  to  them,  or  to 
be  seen  from  various  points  along  their  course.  A  writer  of  note 
has  well  said  that  "a  walk  leading  nowhere  and  ending  in  nothing 
is  never  satisfactory."  A  practice  which  should  never  be  allowed 
in  walks  and  drives  is  for  two  bays  or  two  projections  on  the  same 
side  to  be  seen  at  once.  Use  curves,  as  many  as  may  be  desired, 
but  no  serpent-like  twistings.  Avoid,  however,  making  the 
curves  too  short ;  they  should  be  fair  and  continuous,  and  reason- 
ably direct,  otherwise  in  a  roadway  a  horse  drawing  a  carriage 
would  be  likely  to  shave  jDrojections  and  avoid  the  indentations, 
and  the  track  of  the  wheels  would  soon  show  the  fault  of  the  de- 
sign. 

In  this  country,  where  we  are  subject  to  severe  dry  spells  al- 
most every  Summer,  terraces  (earth  thrown  up  above  the  com- 
mon surface,  and  made  uniformly  level,  usually),  should,  as  a 
rule,  be  avoided,  unless  means  are  at  hand  for  watering  the  grass 
growing  upon  them  whenever  necessary.  The  same  might  be 
said  of  rockeries,  unless  they  can  be  constructed  in  a  shady  situa- 
tion, or  where  tliey  can  be  readily  sprinkled  in  dry  weather. 

The  introduction  of  miscellaneous  ornaments  about  gardens, 
such  as  statuary,  group.^  of  stones,  artificial  basins  of  w^ater,  or 
other  objects  of  similar  nature  should  be  undertaken  w'itli  cau- 
tion, for  although  there  are  places  in  which  these  may  be  desira- 
ble, yet  it  is  easy  to  have  more  than  are  compatible  w4th  correct 
taste.  A  vase  filled  with  vigorous  plants  seldom  appears  out  of 
place. 

Planning"  the  Work.— The  best  time  to  avoid  the  bad  ef- 
fects which  naturally  arise  from  a  poor  arrangement  of  orna- 
mental grounds,  is  before  the  work  is  commenced.  How  this  may 
be  done,  is,  by  making  an  outline  plan  of  the  grounds  to  be  im- 
proved upon  paper,  locating  existing  objects,  such  as  the  dwell- 
ing, outhouses,  trees  that  may  be  standing  on  the  grounds,  the 
highway,  etc.,  in  their  correct  position  on  the  map,  and  then  wuth 


14  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

a  pencil,  do  the  planning  throughout  upon  this,  until  a  satisfac- 
tory plan  has  been  arrived  at,  which  can  be  transferred  to  the 
grounds  in  parts,  as  the  work  of  improving  goes  on.  It  does  not 
require  much  skill  to  draw  the  necessary  map  for  this  purpose,  as 
the  grounds  or  their  outlines  serve  to  guide  the  making  of  it. 
With  a  pencil,  rubber,  and  foot-rule  (with  the  inch  and  the  divi- 
sions of  the  inch  marked  upon  it)  you  can  get  along  well  enough, 
as  regards  drawing  instruments.  First  measure  each  boundary 
with  a  measuring  tape— or  a  ten-foot  pole  will  do  (land  surveyors 
would  use  a  Gunter's  chain),  representing  each  in  its  relative  posi- 
tion on  the  paper  by  a  line  reduced  to  a  certain  scale — say  an 
inch  to  represent  sixteen  or  thirty-two  feet  on  the  ground  ;  then 
measure  the  distance  the  house  and  other  objects  are  from  the 
boundary  line  and  from  each  other,  locating  these  correctly  on 
the  map  by  the  scale  adopted.  Being  such  objects  as  well  as  the 
boundary  lines  will  not  be  changed  in  the  design,  their  outlines 
may  be  drawn  w4th  ink  on  the  map,  to  prevent  erasure  subse- 
quently. The  map  is  now  ready  for  locating  the  various  features 
to  be  introduced  into  the  plan  ;  this  should  be  done  with  a  lead 
pencil,  to  allow  of  erasing  and  changing  as  often  as  may  be  nec- 
essary, until  a  plan  is  found  which  suits  the  place  and  the  taste. 
Every  object  to  be  introduced  should  be  drawn  by  the  adopted 
scale  of  measurement  and  located  in  its  correct  position,  so  that 
it  can  easily  be  transferred  to  the  ground  by  measuring  when 
operations  are  under  way,  Occasionally,  as  the  work  of  plan- 
ning progresses,  each  feature  should  be  viewed  from  various  di- 
rections by  holding  the  upper  surface  of  the  paper  nearly  in  line 
with  the  eye;  to  get  a  better  view  of  them,  as  they  will  appear 
on  the  grounds.  The  reason  of  this  is  obvious,  when  we  con- 
sider that  objects  upon  a  landscape  or  garden  are  viewed  in  this 
way,  the  beholder  standing  upon  the  level  of  the  grounds  and 
not  above  them. 

It  is  well  to  make  several  maps  and  draw  a  different  plan  upon 
each,  thus  securing  the  means  of  making  comparisons  and  choos- 
ing the  one  which  combines  the  greatest  number  of  good  points. 
Fac-similes  of  the  first  map  are  easily  produced  for  this  purpose 
by  laying  this  one  on  top  of  half  a  dozen  or  less  papers  of  the 
same  size,  and  then  running  the  point  of  a  sharp  instrument 
down  through  the  papers  at  the  corners  of  all  angles  and  the 
various  points  on  the  map.  This  will  mark  each  paper  to  guide 
the  drawing  of  lines  for  making  fac-similes  of  the   upper  one. 


THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


15 


Too  great  care  cannot  be  taken  in  making  various  plans  and  in 
finally  deciding  upon  one,  for  any  inconsiderateness  in  these  re- 
spects may  be  the  source  of  regret  afterwards.  This  is  work  for 
the  leisure  hours  of  Winter,  and  it  should  be  engaged  in  early 
enough,  so  that  each  and  all  distinct  features  that  suggest  them- 
selves may  be  deliberately  pondered  over  and  studied  in  their  re- 
lation to  the  whole  design,  for,  bear  in  mind,  when  a  plan  is 
once  fully  decided  upon  and  the  work  of  completion  executed,  it 
is  done  for  a  long  time  distant  in  the  future,  and  will  stand  as 
a  monument,  pointing  either  to  the  wise  and  deliberate  or  to 
the  reckless  action  of  the  projector. 


Fig.  2.     Arranging  Stakes  to  Facilitate  Grading. 

Grading-  and  Leveling-.— After  the  plan  has  been  completed, 
the  work  of  grading  the  surface— generally  more  or  less  uneven, 
is  first  in  order .  Grading  is  one  of  the  distinguishing  features 
of  a  complete  garden,  and  if  nice  and  evenly  done,  does  more 
to  give  to  grounds,  otherwise  well  improved,  a  finished  appear- 
ance than  any  other  one  operation.  The  lawn  if  properly  made 
will  then  present  the  appearance  of  a  carpet  of  velvety  green, 
and  flower  beds,  shrubs  and  trees  will  stand  in  delightful  relief 
above  the  surface.  The  propriety  of  preserving  natural  undula- 
tions, or  attempting  artificial  variety  of  surface  in  moderate- 
sized  or  small  grounds  is  always  questionable  ;  although  in  laro-e 
grounds  planted  in  irregular  style  these,  if  softly  and  appropriately 
finished  off,  may  be  made  to  improve  the  general  appearance 
of  the  grounds. 

The  work  of  grading  is  commenced  bypassing  over  the  grounds 
and  leveling,  being  guided  only  by  the  eye;  all  elevations  should 
be  plowed  up  and  the  ground  from  them  should  be  hauled  or  scraped 
into  the  depressions  which  may  exist.  It  should,  however,  be 
observed,  that  at  least  six  inches  of  good  soil  overlay  the  whole 
in  all  places,  and  where  any  considerable  hills  are  removed  suffi- 
cient subsoil  is  also  to  be  removed  to  be  replaced  with  topsoil  to 
this  depth.    Wherever  walks  and  drives  are  to  come  the  ground 


i6 


THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


may  now  be  excavated  to  a  proper  depth  for  filling  in  with  the 
road  material  and  be  used  in  low  places.  When  this  rough  grad- 
ing is  completed,  drains  should  be  laid  wherever  necessary,  after 
which  the  work  should  be  planned  for  finishing  the  grading  to  a 
nicety.  To  do  this  it  will  be  necessary  to  set  guide  stakes  in 
rows  across  the  grounds,  driven  down  so  that  the  heads  be  inline 
and  exactly  marking  where  the  new  surface  is  to  come.  How  to 
accomplish  driving  the  guide  stakes  so  that  the  heads  will  be  in 
line  I  shall  presently  explain.  If  a  heavy  rain  can  be  had  on  the 
grounds  before  the  work  at  this  stage  is  advanced,  it  will  be  all 
the  better,  otherwise  it  will  become  necessary,  with  the  finishing 
work,  to  leave  the  ground  sufficiently  elevated  wherever  filling  in 
of  low  places  was  done,  to  allow  for  perfect  settling. 

In  Fig.  3  we  will  suppose  the  ground  on 
each  side  of  the  dwelling  slants  away  tow- 
ards the  boundaries.  The  first  step  to  take 
towards  setting  the  stakes  for  guiding  the 
work  of  final  grading  is  to  pass  along  the 
boundary  and  drive  a  stake  at  each  corner 
of  the  lot  to  a  dei^th  so  that  its  top  will 
represent  the  desired  new  grade  in  each 
place.  Then  similarly  drive  four  corre- 
sponding stakes  around  the  dwelling,  set- 
each  far  enough  from  the  corner  to  enable 
sighting  from  it  to  the  next  one  to  it  on  all 
sides  of  the  house.  After  this,  stakes  are 
to  be  set  in  rows  across  each  section  or 


>.^AC 


\AX| 


^1- 


•A  C 


'AJH 


Fig.  8. 

slant  of  the  grounds  to  guide  the  leveling  ;  but,  as  this  can  only 
be  done  over  one  part  at  a  time,  we  will  illustrate  how  to  jDroceed 
by  directing  the  reader  through  each  step  of  setting  the  stakes  on 
the  wide  plot  of  ground  laying  to  the  left  of  the  house  in  Fig.  3. 
Let  us  suppose  that  the  line  h  in  Fig.  2  represents  the  surface  be- 
tween the  corner  stakes  driven  2ut  Ah  and  A  c  in  the  upper  part 
of  Fig.  3,  and  that  the  stakes  shown  at  each  end  of  this  sectional 
cut,  with  their  heads  to  line  C,  are  these  two  corner  stakes  (A  b, 
A  c.  Fig.  3).  Now  drive  a  new  stake  at  the  side  of  each  of  these 
stakes,  but  with  the  heads,  we  will  say,  exactly  18  inches  above 
them.  These  stakes  are  for  the  purpose  of  sighting  over  to  place 
three  or  five  or  more  stakes  between  the  two  corner  ones.  One 
person  should  sight  while  another  drives  the  stakes  ;  the  former 
observing  and  directing  the  depth  they  are  to  be  driven.     This 


THE    HOME   FLORIST.  1/ 

sighting  is  illustrated  in  Fig.  2.  After  these  intermediate  stakes 
are  set,  another  stake  should  be  driven  at  the  side  of  each,  with 
the  top  18  inches  lower  than  top  of  the  sighting  stake,  which  it 
is  obvious  will  bring  the  heads  of  them  in  line  with  the  corner 
stakes  just  driven,  as  is  shown  by  dotted  line  C  in  Fig.  2,  which 
is  the  line  of  the  desired  grade.  If  the  surface  is  wanted  slightly 
crowning  in  the  center  between  the  corner  stakes,  by  keeping  the 
lower  stake  at  the  center  less  than  18  inches  below  the  top  of  the 
sighting  stake  and  gradually  increasing  the  measure  between  the 
top  of  the  upper  and  lower  stake  as  j'ou  proceed  towards  the  cor- 
ner, this  may  be  easily  done.  We  next  proceed  with  the  sight- 
ing and  staking  operation  along  the  boundary,  from  the  upper 
corner  stake  A  b,  to  the  lower  corner  stake  A  b,  and  also  from  A 
c  to  A  c,  driving  the  same  number  of  stakes  on  each,  although 
line  Ab  Ab  is  much  longer  than  the  other.  The  distance  they 
are  to  be  apart  on  each  line  may  be  arrived  at  by  guess,  as  it  is 
not  material  that  they  be  exactly  alike.  A  good  way  is  to  set  one 
at  what  would  be  taken  as  half  way  between  the  corner  stakes, 
and  then  dividing  the  distance  to  the  corner  on  each  side  in  the 
same  way,  and  so  on  until  enough  have  been  placed,  being  cer- 
tain, however,  that  the  same  number  are  on  each  line  After  this 
is  done,  crosslines  of  stakes  are  to  be  run  from  each  stake  in  line  ^-i  b 
Abto  the  corresponding  stake  in  line  A  c  A  e,  in  the  manner  de- 
scribed in  my  reference  to  Fig.  2,  commencing  at  one  end  of  the 
plot.  The  other  quarter  sections  around  the  house  are  each  in 
turn  to  be  laid  out  in  the  manner  I  have  described,  after  which 
the  work  of  leveling  may  finally  be  completed.  With  these  stakes 
at  ten,  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  apart  each  way,  it  is  easy  to  grade 
the  earth  evenly  between  them.  With  the  completion  of  grad- 
ing and  the  removal  of  the  stakes,  we  are  brought  to  making 
walks  and  drives,  and  sowing  the  lawn. 

The  Lawn  ;  Tree  Planting-.— A  good  lawn,  clean  and  well 
kept,  one  which  presents  a  lively  green  appearance,  from  early 
in  the  Spring  until  cold  weather,  is  a  sight  worth  witnessing,  and 
one  well  worth  expending  a  good  deal  of  labor  and  money  upon 
to  obtain.  After  the  ground  is  shaped  to  the  desired  grade,  as  de- 
scribed above,  then  the  whole  should  be  trenched  or  plowed, 
a  sub-soil  following  in  the  wake  of  the  common  plow  to 
deeply  pulverize  it.  The  soil  from  the  first  furrow  made  in 
plowing  will  be  thrown  above  the  common  level,  and  after  the 
piece  is  overturned  this  should  be  drawn  or  wheeled  into  the  open 


1 8  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


furrow  left  by  the  plow  in  finishing,  that  all  may  become  even 
again.  A  heavy  harrow  should  then  be  applied  until  the  surface 
is  thoroughly  fined  down.  It  may  now  be  noticed  by  the  care- 
ful eye  that  slight  undulations  still  exist  here  and  there  about 
the  grounds  ;  these  can  be  leveled  with  a  shovel  or  hoe.  All 
stones,  roots,  etc.,  should  also  be  removed,  so  that  a  smooth  sur- 
face may  be  obtained  ;  these  will  be  found  useful  for  filling,  in 
making  walks  and  drives  To  facilitate  the  work  of  tree  plant- 
ing, which  next  should  receive  attention,  small  stakes  should  be 
set  at  the  points  marked  on  the  plan  ;  the  planting  should  be  done 
carefully  and  without  unnecessary  digging  or  disturbing  the 
graded  surface.  After  this  the  harrow  or,  better  yet,  the  rake 
may  again  pass  over  the  surface,  with  afterwards  the  roller,  and 
the  law^n  is  ready  to  be  sown.  For  small  plats,  of  course,  digging, 
trenching  and  raking  must  be  done,  instead  of  plowing,  sub-soil- 
ing and  harrowing.  Do  not  fall  into  the  common  error  of  using 
seed  sparingly.  Four  bushels  to  the  acre  is  the  proper  quantity. 
The  Red  Top  or  Blue  Grass  are  about  the  best,  or  the  ' '  mixtures  " 
of  desirable  kinds  that  are  furnished  by  reliable  seedsmen.  It  is 
well  to  add  a  pound  or  two  of  Sweet  Vernal  grass  to  the  acre  for 
the  delightful  fragrance  it  emits  after  being  cut ;  also  a  quantity  of 
White  Clover,  say  one  or  two  pounds  to  the  acre.  These  are  usu- 
ally included  in  the  mixtures  prepared  by  seedsmen. 

When  the  seed  is  sown,  a  light  harrow  or  rake  should  be  ap- 
plied, and  after  that  a  thorough  rolling  given,  so  that  the  surface 
may  become  as  smooth  as  possible.  The  seed  may  be  sown  in 
the  Spring,  during  April  and  early  May,  or  even  earlier  at  the 
South,  and  will  form  a  good  lawn  by  August,  if  the  preparation 
has  been  good.  If  not  ready  to  sow  before  June  or  July,  a 
sprinkling  of  oats  should  be  sown  at  the  same  time, 
so  that  the  shade  given  by  the  oats  will  protect  the  young 
grass  from  the  sun.  But  rather  than  sow  during  the  hottest  weather, 
I  prefer  to  put  it  off  until  September,  which  is  one  of  the  best  of 
times  for  the  work.  Frequent  mowing  of  the  grass  and  the 
weeds,  let  me  add,  should  be  attended  to  from  the  first.  The 
weed  seed  lying  dormant  in  the  ground  at  sowing  time,  may 
spring  up  thickly  with  the  grass,  but  will  finally  succumb  to  the 
frequent  use  of  the  lawn  mower  or  scythe,  and  some  hand  dig- 
ging later,  while  the  grass  will  improve  in  strength  and  appear- 
ance with  each  cutting.  Mowing  every  week  or  two  will  not  be 
too  often.      The  grass,  if  it  is  very  heavy,   should  be  raked  off 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


19 


after  eacTi  mowing  with  a  lawn  rake.  Lawns  are  frequently  sown 
during  the  Fall  months  with  excellent  results. 

Sometimes  after  a  good  sod  has  formed  on  the  lawn,  it  is  desir- 
able to  remove  a  tree  or  shrub  from  one  part  of  the  ground  to  an- 
other, or  to  plant  a  new  one.  In  fig.  4,  I 
show  how  this  can  be  done,  without 
mutilating  or  otherwise  injuring  the 
sod.  Four  cuts  are  made,  two  or  three 
feet  in  length,  away  from  the  tree,  and 
the  sod  is  rolled  back  while  taking  up 
or  planting  the  tree,  and  again  unfold- 
ing it  into  its  original  position  after  the 
soil  has  been  properly  leveled.  With 
a  little  care  tliis  operation  may  be  so 
nicely  done  as  scarcely  to  leave  marks. 

Soclding". — The  edges  of  grass-sown 
lawns,  bordering  on  walks,  drives, flow-    ^H 
er-beds,  etc.,  should  for  protection,  be  ^^H_ 
sodded  one  foot  wide.     Sodding  is  best  Fig.  4. 

done  with  turf  obtained  from  an  even  grassy  spot  in  the  meadow, 
where  no  weeds  are  growing.  In  taking  up  the  sods  they  should  be 
cut  into  squares  of  about  one  foot  by  one  foot,  or  into  lengths  of 
five  or  six  feet  and  one  foot  wide,  which  can  be  conveniently  rolled 
up  for  handling  them,  cutting  them  about  an  inch  and  a  half 
thick.  In  putting  down  the  sods  they  should  be  laid  closely 
and  compactly  together,  beating  them  smoothly  with  the  back 
of  the  spade,  so  that  there  will  be  no  crevice  between  the  cut 
portions  or  beneath  them.  This  work  is  best  done  early  in  the 
Spring  or  late  in  the  Autumn. 

Walks  and  Drives.— Good  dry  roads  or  walks  should  be 
aimed  at  for  about  the  home,  and  these  when  well  made  and  fin- 
ished impart  character  and  finish  to  any  grounds.  The  ordinarj^ 
method  of  securing  the  curves  which  have  been  decided  upon,  is 
by  measurement  or  by  setting  small  stakes  on  the  line  of  the  road, 
and  moving  them  until  the  curve  seems  graceful  and  pleasant  to 
the  eye.  We  find  a  very  good  plan  in  J.  Weidemann's  work  on 
Landscape  Gardening,  published  by  the  Orange  Judd  Co.,  for 
accomplishing  this.  In  the  engraving  it  will  be  readily  seen 
how,  by  means  of  a  stout  cord  and  stakes,  the  curve  is 
secured.     After  the  desired  course  and  width  of  walks  and  drives 


20 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


are  decided  upon,  the 
work  of  making  may 
commence.  E  x  c  av  a  t  e 
from  one  to  two  feet,  fill 
in  with  large  stones, 
upon  these  put  smallpr 
ones,  diminishing  the 
Fig.  5.  size    as    the    surface   is 

reached,  and  using  coarse  gravel  on  top  of  the  stone,  and  then 
finish  with  a  coat  of  finer  gravel  at  the  top.  Roll  well  all  during 
the  process  of  construction,  and  there  will  be  a  road  that  will  sel- 
dom if  ever  need  mending,  and  be  fit  to  travel  on  in  any  kind  of 
weather. 


Fig.  G. 


Fig.  7. 


Designs  for  Flower  Beds  on  the  Lawn.— With  a  ten- 
foot  pole,  two  stakes  eighteen  inches  long,  and  a  cord  to  connect 
them,  and  several  dozen  small  stakes  for  defining  outlines,  the 
following  designs  may  easily  be  made.     In  figure  6,  ascertain  the 
jDoints  of  the  star  b}^  setting  five  stakes  at 
equal  distance  from  each  other  on  the  circle, 
\\  lay  the  ten-foot  pole  from  each  stake  to  the 
I  \  second  one  from  it  both  ways,  and  mark  with 
/    J  a  pointed  stick.     For  the  moon  make  one 
/    /'  large  circle  for  the  outside,  and   another 
'   /    smaller  one  with  the  center  a  little  moved  to 
give  the  inside  shape.    To  make  an  oval,  first 
Fig.  8  lay  out  an  oblong  square  of  the  desired  size, 

placing  stakes  at  the  corners.  Then  set  five,  seven,  or  any  like 
number  of  stakes,  on  each  side,  as  is  shown  in  figure  seven.  Now 
lay  the  pole  against  the  middle,  long-side  stake,  and  the  first 
stake  from  the  corner  on  the  short  side,  and  draw  a  mark  ;  then 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


21 


move  it  to  the  stake  next  the  middle  on  the  long  side  and  stake 
number  two  on  the  short  side,  and  draw  another  mark,  proceed  in 
this  manner  around  the  entire  square,  and  a  well-proportioned 
oval  will  finally  result.  Triangular  and  other  forms  are  readily 
made  with  the  pole,  stakes  and  line. 


Fig.  9.  Fig.  10. 

Designs  of  Compound  Flower  Beds. 

OPEN  AIR  FLORICULTURE. 


Planting-  in  Masses  ot  Color.— This  style  of  adornment 
with  plants  and  flowers  is  one  of  the  most  effective  that  can  be 
adopted  for  ornamenting  the  grounds  about  the  home,  and  it 
possesses  the  merit  of  being  simple.  It  consists  of  planting  beds 
which  are  cut  in  the  lawn,  or  otherwise  located,  with  a  single 
kind  of  plant,  or  with  various  kinds,  grouped  so  thickly  that  the 
ground  will  become  entirely  concealed,  thus  forming  one  or  more 
distinct  masses  of  bloom  or  color.  Or  the  beds  may  be  of  com- 
pound form,  consisting  of  separate  parts,  each  planted  with  a 
distinct  color.  Sometimes  an  edging  of  any  beautiful  low  plant 
may  be  set  around  these  masses  with  good  advantage.  Certain 
plants  are  better  than  others  for  masses,  these  being  such  as  are 
free  bloomers,  or  that  have  attractive  foliage.  Several  designs 
of  beds  suitable  for  this  style  of  work  are  represented  herewith, 
and  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  article  on  "  Laying  Out  Flower 
Beds  in  the  Lawn,"  for  others. 

It  should  not  be  inferred  that  beds  in  the  massing  style  need  be 
either  large  or  costly  to  be  effective.     Beds  three,   or  even  two 


22 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


feet  across,  if  cut  in  the  green  lawn,  and  planted  with  such  valu- 
able plants  for  this  purpose,  as  scarlet,  or  any  bright-bedding 
Geraniums,  Coleus  or  others,  say  five  well-established  plants  for 
the  smaller,  and  eight  for  the  larger-sized  beds,  will  become  a.maz- 
ingly  attractive  and  appear  complete  in  any  grounds.  Those  try- 
ing one  or  more  beds  in  massing  could  scarcely  fail  to  be  pleased 
with  the  result.  Fig.  12  is  a  perspective  representation  of  a  round 
bed  jjlanted  in  three  different  colors,  as  shown  by  the  dark  and 
light  parts.  The  centre  is  occupied  by  a  distinct  color,  some- 
what taller  than  the  others.  Fig.  9  represents  a  compound  bed  of 
circular  outline.  The  centre  bed  may  be  divided  into  four  equal 
parts,  each  planted  with  a  distinct  color  of  Phlox  Drummondi, 
or  only  two  colors,  as  white  and  scarlet,  each  color  occupying 
two  ox^posite  quarters.  The  small  outside  beds  might  be  planted 
with  mixed  Pansies,  and  the  large  ones  respectively  with  crimson 
and  rose-colored  Portulaca.  Fig.  10  is  a  very  easily- planned  com- 
nound  bed,  more  elaborate  than  the  last  one  described,  but,  like 
it,  is  well  adapted  for  auy  fair-sized  grounds.  The  former  may 
be  about  twelve  feet  in  diameter,  from  outside  to  outside,  and  the 
latter  twenty  to  thirty  feet  across  between  extreme  points.  A 
star,  the  body  of  which  is  planted  with  Achryanthes  Verschaff  elti, 
and  the  points  with  Alternanthera  Versicolor,  a  plant  of  the 
same  color,  makes  a  very  attractive  bed.  We  have  often  planted 
round  beds  with  the  dark  and  other  colored  Cannas,  placing  a 
row  of  AVhite  Centaureas  around  the  eige  with  satisfactory  re- 
sults. There  is  really  no  limit  to  the  varied  arrangements  which 
may  be  adopted  with  pleasing  effects  in  this  style  of  planting. 
To  render  the  present  article  on  this  subject  more  complete,  I 
give  a  list  of  the  plants  best  suited  to  this  purpose.  The  reader 
is  referred  to  the  description  of  each  kind,  which  will  be  found  ir 
other  parts  of  the  work. 


Ageratum,  in  variety. 
Abutilon  Thoiiipsoyd. 
Achryanthes,  various  Colors. 
Alyssum  and  Thy  me, variegated 
Alternantheras,  various  colors. 
Arteniesia  Stellaris. 
Candytuft,  various  colors. 
Cannas,  various  colors. 
Centaurea  Candida,  and  Gym- 

nocarpa. 
Coleus,  in  large  variety. 
Dwarf  Convolvulus, 


Geraniums,  in  large  variety. 

Golden  Feather  Feverfew. 

Heliotrope. 

Leptosiphon,  various  colors. 

Lobelia. 

Pansies,  various  colors. 

Petunias,  various  colors. 

Phlox  Drummondi,  var.  colors. 

Portidaca,  various  colors. 

Stocks,  various  colors. 

Sedums  in  variety. 

Verbenas,  various  colors. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


23 


Ribbon  Gardenings. — This  method 
of  planting  consists  of  setting  plants  with 
contrasting  color  of  flowers  or  with  showy 
foliage,  in  lines  on  round,  oval  or  square 
I  beds,  to  produce  an  effect  resembling  a 
ribbon,  when  viewed  from  a  distance.  To 
give  a  correct  idea  of  this  matter  I  illus- 
trate in  Fig.  11  the  placing  of  the  plants  in 
position  in  a  circular  bed;  it  will 
be  seen  that  the  work  of  planting  may  be 
guided  by  striking  circles,  with  a  line  at- 
tached to  a  stake  in  the  centre.  I  have 
found  in  practice  that  in  planting  circular  or  oval  ribbon  beds  it 
is  best  to  plant  the  largest  or  outside  circle  first ;  then  commence 
in  the  center  and  finish  at  the  second  line  from  the  outside.  Fig. 
13  represents  a  long  ribbon  bed  planted  with  five  lines  of  plants 
of  various  colors.  A  large  oval 
bed,  12  by  18  feet  in  diameter, 
might  be  planted,  with  the  first 
row  next  to  the  grass,  with  Vari- 
gated  Sweet  Alyssum,  eight  inches  Fig.  12.  Planting  in  masses 
apart,   the  second  from  the  edge  of  color. 

with  Alternantheras  ten  inches  apart  ;  third,  Centaurea  Candida, 
fourteen  inches  apart ;  fourth,  Coleus  Verchatf elti,  sixteen  inches 


Fig.  11. 
A  Circular  Bibbon 
Bed. 


Fig.  13.    A  Long  Ribbon  Bed  of  Plants. 

apart  ;  fifth,  CaladiumEsculentum,  afoot  and  a  half  apart ;  sixth, 
Abutilon  Thompsoni,  fifteen  inches  apart ;  the  center  with  large 
Cannas,  intermixed  with  Gladiolus.  Such  a  bed  is  bound  to  be 
exceedingly  beautiful  for  months,  provided  that  the  soil  and  the 
quality  of  the  plants  set  out  are  the  best.  It  Avill  be  noticed  that 
the  tallest  plants  occupy  the  center,  while  each  circle  toward 
the  edge  contains  plants  of  less  height.  Where  smaller  beds  are 
desired,  a  less"  number  of  circles  or  lines  will  be  necessary  ;  one 
might  be  made  with  a  large  scarlet  Geranium,  Gladiolus  or  double 
Zinnia,  for  the  center,  with  white  Feverfew,  Centaurea,  or 
white  Phlox  Drummondi  next,  and  surrounding  these,  Lark- 
spur, Heliotrope,  or  other  blue  fiowers,  with  yellow  Calceolaria 


24 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


or  Dwarf  Nasturtium  next,  and  outside  of  all  a  circle  of  Varie- 
gated Thyme,  Sweet  Alyssum,  Mignonette,  or  other  low-growing 
plant.  A  very  pretty,  long-ribbon  bed  is  made  by  taking  differ- 
ent colors  of  the  same  flower,  like  Phlox  Drummondi,  Portulaca, 
Verbenas,  Stocks,  and  others  described  as  being  suitable.  With 
care  in  sudying  descriptions  of  plants,  so  that  good  selections  may 
be  made,  and  then  a  little  experience,  the  work  of  arranging 
these  beds  becomes  easy  and  interesting. 

Planting  Mixed  Borders  and  Beds.— A  very  common 
arrangement  of  flower  beds,  and  one  of  the  best  of  all,  consists  in 
making  borders  along  the  walks  four  or  more  feet  wide,  large 
beds  in  the  lawn,  or  a  center  bed  in  the  vegetable  garden,  and 
planting  promiscuously  with  a  general  variety  of  all  kinds  and 
seasons  of  flowering.  Be  careful,  in  planting  such  beds,  to  place 
the  tallest  growers,  such  as  Hollyhocks,  Ricinus,  Dahlias,  etc.,  in 
the  background  or  in  the  center  if  the  beds  are  circular,  and  then 
setting  the  smaller  growers  in  front  of  such.  Plants  and  flowers 
of  different  colors  should  be  set  to  show  to  the  best  advantage  by 
contrasts  and  those  flowering  at  different  times,  to  make  the  dis- 
play continual  throughout.  Fig.  14  illustrates  a  plan  for  flower 
beds  in  a  walk  bordered  with  shrubbery . 


Fig.  14.  Flower  Beds  in  Walk. 


Flower  Beds  for  Constant  Cutting*. — Many  flowers  will 
perhaps  be  wanted  for  the  table,  bouquets,  or  to  give  away.  For 
such  purposes  it  is  better  to  have  a  bed  or  mixed  border  near  at 
hand,  planted  with  free  blooming  varieties  that  are  desirable  for 
fragrance  and  brilliant  colors,  especially  for  this  use.  These  will 
bloom  all  the  more  constant  for  having  the  young  flowers  cut  as 
fast  as  they  open,  and  it  is  surprising  to  see  what  an  amount  of 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  25 

flowers  can  be  daily  cut  from  quite  a  small  bed.  Such  a  bed 
should  be  planted  largely  with  annual  Phlox  Drummondi,  Sweet 
Pea,  Zinnia,  Stocks,  Candytuft,  Mignonettes,  besides  Heliotrope, 
monthly  Roses,  Gladiolus,  Dahlia,  double,  single  and  scented 
Geranium,  Verbena,  Pansy  and  others.  An  abundance  of  green 
should  be  provided  for,  a  matter  which  is  too  often  overlooked. 
Nothing  can  be  cultivated  to  suf)ply  this  better  than  the  Rose  and 
other  scented  Geraniums,  varieties  of  which  valuable  family  of 
plants  are  easily  propagated  by  every  one,  and  which  grow 
with  great  vigor  if  taken  from  the  pots  and  planted  in  fertile  soil. 
A  few  plants  of  each  will  afford  a  large  supply  of  delightful  foli- 
age, and  many  clusters  of  flowers  all  Summer.  There  are  several 
varieties  of  so-called  Rose  Geraniums,  all  differing  somewhat  in 
fragrance  and  appearance,  most  of  which  are  inferior  to  the  true 
rose-scented  variety.  Then,  some  plants  with  beautiful  foliage, 
such  as  Abutilon  Thompsoni,  Centaurea  Gymnocarpa,  or  the 
Achryanthes,  Amaranthus,  etc.,  should  not  be  overlooked.  These 
will  furnish  a  variety  of  material  for  intermixing  with  and 
edging  flowers  in  bouquets,  baskets  and  other  arrangements, 
that  is  very  desirable  along  with  green.  Smilax  is  a  plant  with 
finer  foliage  than  the  Geraniums  alluded  to,  but  it  is  not  so  good 
for  constant  cutting,  being  a  climber,  and  hardly  available  until 
it  has  made  a  growth  of  six  feet,  as  the  vine  with  leaves  attachea 
are  too  succulent  for  use,  unless  several  months  old.  Another 
plant  deserving  of  more  general  use  for  this  purpose  is  the  Lemon 
Verbena  {Aloysia  Citriodora),  which  is  of  easy  culture,  and  a  fav- 
orite wherever  its  delightfully  fragrant  leaves  are  known. 

The  Soil  :  Its  Preparation  and  Treatment.— To  be 

successful  in  cultivating  flowers,  it  is  of  the  greatest  importance 
under  all  circumstances  that  we  give  plants  a  deep,  fertile  and 
well-drained  soil  to  grow  in.  That  attempts  at  floriculture  may 
prove  to  be  failures  from  other  causes,  is  possible;  but  I  freely 
assert  that  lack  of  attention  to  securing  the  requisites  named  is 
the  direct  cause  of  nearly  every  failure  to  produce  fine  flowers  in 
abundance.  This  is  a  point  that  should  be  well  observed  by  be- 
ginners. Not  a  season  passes  but  in  July,  August  and  September, 
flower  beds  are  to  be  seen  which  were  laid  out  and  planted  with 
much  taste  and  expense  perhaps,  that  contain  at  this  season  only 
poor,  unthrifty,  flowerless  plants,  an  eye-sore  to  the  beholder, 
and  a  testimonial  to  the  one  fact,  tliat  the  soil  was  unsuitably  pre- 
pared for  flowers.     Few  soils  are  so  stubborn  that  with  perfect 


26 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


drainage,  either  natural  or  artificial — and  this  well  done  once  will 
last  a  lifetime — with  being  trenched  eighteen  inches  or  two  feet 
deep,  and  annually  supplied  with  a  dressing  of  manure,  together 
with  being  well  tilled,  will  not  produce  flowers  in  abundance. 

Trenching  is  an  operation  which  consists  in  working  the  soil 
deeply  with  the  use  of  the  spade.  It  serves  to  promote  the  growth 

of  vegetation,  by  giving  to 
the  roots  ample  room  for 
extension;  besides,  with 
retaining  moisture  the  en- 
tire depth  to  which  the 
soil  is  stirred  and  broken, 
it  prevents  injury  to  plants 
in  severe  drouths,  where 
Fig.  15.     Trenching.  they  might  be  badly  effected 

by  drying,  were  the  soil  only  worked  to  a  shallow  depth.  In  ordi- 
nary culture  the  surface  soil  only  is  overturned  or  stirred  by  the 
jjlow  or  spade,  leaving  the  subsoil  underneath,  which  is  usually 
hard  and  compact,  untouched;  but  v/ith  trenching  the  oi^eration 
is  conducted  to  work  up  the  latter  as  w^ell  as  the  former,  keeping 
each  part  by  itself,  the  surface  soil  above  and  the  subsoil,  which 
is  of  a  sterile  nature,  underneath.  The  annexed  cut,  represent- 
ing a  section  of  soil  to  be  trenched,  shows  how  this  is  accom- 
plished. The  surface  soil  shown  in  section  A,  to  the  width  of 
about  six  feet  across  the  bed,  is  first  thrown  out  entirely  and  the 
subsoil  underneath  (a)  is  turned  with  the  spade,  moving  it  only 
enough  to  facilitate  the  work;  a  section  of  surface  soil  about 
four  feet  wide,  represented  in  the  cut  by  B,  is  next  thrown  over 
in  the  space  ^.-i,  on  subsoil  a,  and  the  subsoil  now  turned  to  light 
is  overturned  i:i  like  manner  as  that  represented  by  a  was.  The 
soil  in  section  C,  to  the  width  of  about  four  feet,  is  in  turn  thrown 
into  space  B,  and  the  subsoil  underneath  is  overturned.  The  op- 
eration is  continued  in  the  same  manner  across  the  bed  or  lot,  and 
the  opening  remaining  at  the  end  after  the  other  side  has  been 
reached,  can  be  filled  up  with  the  surface  soil  first  thrown  out. 

Manure  should  be  applied  to  flower  beds  in  the  Fall,  after  severe 
frosts  have  finally  cut  down  the  plants,  and  annual  bulbs  and 
tubers  are  removed.  This  should  be  spread  evenly  over  the  sur- 
face, and  incorporate  well  with  the  soil  by  spading  up  thoroughly 
and  deep,  leaving  the  clods  unbroken  as  they  leave  the  spade. 
Always  have  a  supply  of  manure  in  some  corner  for  such   pur- 


THE    HOME   FLORIST.  2/ 


poses.  Those  who  keep  a  cow  or  horse  will  of  course  have  enough. 
If  you  manage  to  have  it  twelve  or  more  months  old  before  using, 
ifc  is  best,  although  some  fresher  from  the  stable  will  answer  the 
purpose.  Those  who  cannot  get  stable  manure  readily  may  have 
to  depend  on  artificial  fertilizers,  even  though  they  are  not  so 
good  on  the  whole.  In  some  places  a  compost  heap  might  be 
made  to  a  good  purpose  by  gathering  up  a  store  of  leaves  m  the 
Fall  and  leaving  them  lay  until  Spring,  when  they  should  be  piled 
up  in  alternate  layers  with  a  cartload  of  sods  from  some  meadow 
or  roadside  to  rot,  giving  the  heap  a  weekly  soaking  of  soapsuds 
on  washing  days.  Throw  on,  during  the  Summer  months,  rak- 
ings  and  scrapings  from  the  garden,  and  once  in  a  while  add  a 
shovelful  of  lime  and  a  barrow  load  of  black  earth  from  the 
street,  and  by  early  Winter  you  will  have  a  mound  of  rich,  black 
crumbly  loam,  of  fine  fertilizing  quality. 

Where  hardy  plants,  slirubs,  or  Roses  that  remain  in  the  ground 
from  year  to  year,  are  growing  in  the  beds,  care  should  be  taken 
not  to  cut  or  spade  so  near  them  as  to  injure  the  roots  at  the 
annual  Fall  spading.  These  are  benefited  by  receiving  a  dressing 
of  coarse  hay  or  strawy  manure  over  their  roots  late  in  the 
season,  which  should  be  raked  off  again  in  the  Spring.  In  Spring 
the  beds  are  to  be  lightly  worked  over  again  with  the  spade  or 
digging-fork.  If  the  manure  worked  in  in  the  Fall  appears  to 
have  been  ample,  none  need  now  be  applied.  We  take  exception, 
however,  to  new  beds  to  be  planted  for  the  first  time;  better  give 
these  another  moderate  dressing  before  spading.  In  no  case  do 
spading  in  the  Spring  until  the  soil  is  dry.  Imprudence  in  this 
respect  will  cause  most  land  to  become  rough  and  cloddy,  a  state 
wholly  unfit  for  flowers,  and  which  cannot  be  remedied  during 
that  season.  After  nicely  raking  up  the  beds,  always  leaving  the 
middle  slightly  elevated,  you  can  carry  out  your  plans — which 
should  have  been  perfected  before  planting  time — by  setting  out 
the  hardiest  plants  first,  finishing  with  the  more  tender  kinds  in  May. 

Sowing-  Seeds.— Some  flower  seeds,  like  those  of  Candytuft, 
Convolvulus,  Escholtzia,  Larkspur,  Mignonette,  Poppy,  Portu- 
laca.  Sweet  Pea,  etc.,  do  better  to  sow  directly  where  they  are  to 
bloom.  As  soon  as  the  ground  becomes  warm  and  friable,  say  in 
April  and  May,  open,  neat,  shallow  drills — not  too  deep— and  drop 
in  the  seed ;  draw  in  flne  earth  and  beat  it  down  a  little  with  the 
hoe  or  spade.  Where  many  flowers  of  a  single  kind  of  seed- 
grown  plants  are  wanted  the  seeds  may  be  sown  broadcast,  covering 


28 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


with  light  sandy  soil,  sprinkled  on  with  the  hand  or  through  a  fine 
sieve,  or  a  careful  raking,  if  the  soil  is  fine,  may  answer  the  same 
purpose.  I  may  say,  however,  that  on  the  whole,  sowing  in 
drills,  even  if  flowers  are  grown  on  a  large  scale,  is  the  better 
way.  Never  cover  seeds  of  any  kind  too  deep.  Failures  often 
arise  from  this  ca,use  alone.  I  consider  the  old  rule  of  covering 
twice  the  depth  of  their  own  diameters  to  be  reliable,  and  appli- 
cable to  any  kind  of  sowing.  As  soon  as  seedlings  have  devel- 
oped their  second  leaves  they  should  be  thinned.  Pansies,  Holly- 
hocks, Delphiniums  and  many  other  hardy  perennial  plants  should 
be  sown  in  August  and  September,  and  most  of  these  will  then 
flower  the  next  year  and  earlier  than  if  their  sowing  is  deferred  until 
Spring.  These  should  be  slightly  covered  over  the  roots  at  the 
approach  of  cold  weather.  For  further  remarks  on  time  of  sow- 
ing various  seeds,  see  Weekly  Classification  of  Work  for  May, 
June,  July,  August  and  September. 

Most  other  seed-grown  plants,  besides  those  named  above,  are 
benefited  by  being  transplanted,  and  should  be  started  in  a  pre- 
pared seed-bed,  hot-bed,  or  a  box  in  the  house.  In  either  case,  a 
light,  sandy  loam  should  be  used,  as  with  plants  intended  for  re- 
moval when  they  have  attained  a  certain  size,  an  abundance  of 
fibrous  roots  is  of  importance,  and  these  can  never  be  obtained  if 
the  seedlings  are  brought  forward  in  a  soil  of  a  hard,  "  baked  " 
character.  Decomposed  grass  sods  from  a  sandy  meadow  mixed 
with  some  old  manure  that  is  finely  separated  make  an  excellent 
soil  for  all  such  purposes. 

Hot-Beds,  Colcl-Frames  and  Seed-Beds.— Every  fam- 
ily possessing  a  garden  ought  to  have  a  hot-bed,  even  if  it  be  a 
small  one,  in  which  to  start  seedling?  plants,  Dahlia  roots,  Tube- 
rose bulbs,  etc.,  and  also  to  root  cuttings.  Tender  annuals  and 
vegetables  of  all  kinds  for  planting  could  be  had  three  or  four 

weeks  earlier  than  if  the 


Hot  Bed. 


seeds  were  sown  in  the 
open  ground, thus  advanc- 
ing their  season  of  matur- 
ity. A  hot-bed  is  made  by 
forming  a  pile  of  fresh 
strawy  horse  man  u  r  e 
some  three  feet  in  height, 
slightly  elevated-  at  what 
is  to  be  the  bacls.  end  of  the 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  29 

bed.  As  a  number  of  loads  will  be  required  for  an  ordinary  sized 
bed,  it  may  be  necessary  to  gather  up  manure  for  the  purpose 
for  some  time  previous  to  using  it,  in  which  case  the  accumula- 
tions should  be  kept  from  the  wet  under  cover,  and  be  frequently 
overturned  to  check  its  heating  before  needed.  The  bed  may  be 
sunk  a  foot  or  eighteen  inches  in  the  ground  if  the  soil  is  well 
drained,  and  should  be  a  foot  larger  each  way  than  the  frame 
which  is  to  be  used.  The  manure  should  be  well  trodden  down  to 
prevent  settling  when  finished.  Lying  thus  causes  it  to  ferment, 
which  fermentation  produces  the  lasting  bottom  heat  that  warms 
thesoil.andrenders  the  bed  essentially  a  miniature  greenhouse. 
After  the  manure  is  in  shape,  the  frame,  which  should  be  made  of 
IJ  or  li  inch  plank,  18  inches  wide,  can  be  placed  on  at  once  and 
filled  in  with  about  four  or  five  inches  of  light  soil  well  enriched 
with  fine  manure.  Banking  up  over  the  projecting  portion  of 
the  manure  on  the  outside  with  ground  will  tend  to  confine  the 
heat  to  the  inside  of  the  frame,  and  will  also  improve  the  appear- 
ance of  the  bed  by  hiding  the  manure.  Keep  the  sash  closed  un- 
til the  heat  has  warmed  the  soil  well.  Then  better  wait  a  day  or 
two  before  sowing  the  seed.  Sow  in  drills,  about  two  or  three 
inches  apart,  running  across  the  bed.  Care  is  required  in  clear 
weather  to  prevent  the  heat  rising  to  an  injurious  temperature, 
giving  abundant  air  when  the  sun  shines,  by  moving  the  sash  up 
or  down.  The  safest  way  is  to  be  governed  by  a  thermometer, 
which  should  be  placed  where  the  sun's  rays  will  not  strike  it; 
keep  the  temperature  as  near  sixty  degrees  in  the  shade  as  possi- 
ble. When  the  mercury  indicates  higher  than  that  point,  give 
air;  when  below — as  it  will  in  frosty  nights — cover  with  mats. 
By  being  attentive  in  this  matter,  seeds  that  were  sown  in  March 
or  April  will  have  become  thrifty,  well-tempered  plants  by  May. 

The  principal  advantages  of  a  hot-bed  may  be  secured  by  what 
is  called  a  Cold-Frame.  This  is  formed  without  manure,  by  plac_ 
ing  the  hot-bed  frame  upon  a  bed  of  soil  in  some  shelted  place  in 
the  garden  protected  from  cold  winds.  Do  not  start  the  cold 
frame  until  the  latter  part  of  April  in  this  latitude,  as  we  depend 
wholly  on  the  sun  for  heating  it.  It  requires  much  the  same  care 
with  reference  to  airing  on  sunny  days,  and  protecting  with  mats 
in  cold  nights  as  does  the  hot- bed.  Both  must  be  watered  occa- 
sionally as  the  soil  demands  it. 

Many  can  have  neither  of  these  conveniences.  By  starting  a 
a  week  or  two  later,  seeds  may  be  sown  in  a  bed  of  mellow  soil 


30  THE    HOME   FLORIST. 

in  some  warm,  sunny  spot  about  the  house  with  good  results.  On 
the  east  or  south  side  of  a  building  is  the  best  place,  as  here  the 
sun's  rays  reflected  on  the  building  will  cause  the  bed  to  be  some 
degrees  warmer,  consequently  earlier  than  if  made  out  in  an 
open  space.  All  seeds  will  come  up  sooner  for  having  the  ground 
shaded  with  shutters,  mats,  or  perhaps,  better  than  all,  a  little 
scattering  of  fine  hay,  until  the  shoots  have  reached  the  surface, 
when  the  covering  must  be  removed  at  once. 

Transplanting". — This  with  seedling  plants  should  be  done 
with  a  dibble  or  pointed  stick,  and  pot-grown  plants  with  a  gar- 
den trowel  just  before  or  after  a  shower.  But  sometimes  trans- 
planting must  be  done  in  a  dry  spell.  The  best  way  then  is  to 
plant  carefully  towards  evening  of  the  day,  leaving  a  depression 
in  the  soil  around  each  plant,  which  should  be  filled  with  water 
and  allowed  to  settle  away  until  the  soil  is  thoroughly  saturated. 
Next  morning  the  earth  should  be  drawn  iu,  to  prevent  the  wet 
soil  from  baking. 

Slimmer  Culture.— In  Summer  the  earth  between  the 
plants  should  be  frequently  stirred,  after  each  rain  at  least,  to 
keep  it  properly  mellow,  and  for  destroying  all  weeds.  Thorough 
culture  is  also  one  of  the  best  remedies  against  the  bad  effects  of 
drouth,  as  an  open  soil  absorbs  moisture  from  the  atmosphere  in 
the  night-time  to  a  great  extent.  Some  things,  like  Lilies,  Carna- 
tions and  Rhododendrons,  it  is  well  to  mulch  with  a  coat  of  straw. 
Beds  are  better  if  so  arranged  that  flowers  or  plants  can  be  reached 
in  cultivating  or  picking  without  treading  on  the  ground. 

Watering-  in  Summer— Whenever  it  becomes  necessary  to 
resort  to  watering  in  dry  weather,  it  is  much  better  to  apply  suffi- 
cient water  to  thoroughly  soak  the  soil  while  about  it  than  to  ap- 
ply a  small  quantity  day  by  day,  a  custom  very  j^revalent  among 
cultivators.  In  watering  plants,  first  draw  the  soil  away  from 
the  base  of  the  stalk  in  order  to  form  a  sort  of  basin  in  which  to 
pour  the  water;  fill  this  up  and  let  it  settle  away  repeatedly  until 
a  plenty  has  been  applied,  then  draw  the  earth  again  to  the  plant, 
which  will  prevent  the  soil  from  baking  in  the  sun.  A  thorough 
watering  of  this  kind  ought  to  answer  for  several  weeks  in  the 
dryest  time  of  Summer,  When  entire  beds  are  to  be  watered  the 
soil  sliould  be  opened  by  thrusting  a  digging-fork  into  it  here  and 
there  before  sprinkling;  then  the  beds  should  be  passed  over  again 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  3 1 


and  again  with  the  pot  and  sprinkler  until  there  is  enough.  The 
next  day  the  surface  of  the  bed  should  be  mellowed  up  with  the 
rake  or  hoe. 

This  rule  of  watering  very  thoroughly  each  time  it  is  needed, 
and  then  not  again  until  really  necessary,  applies  quite  as  well  to 
watering  plants  in  pots  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  either  out  of 
doors  or  in  the  house  and  conservatory,  as  in  the  open  ground. 
Be  on  the  guard  to  not  over-water  pot  plants,  however,  as  it  is 
contrary  to  the  nature  of  most  of  these  to  thrive  in  a  heavily 
saturated  soil. 

The  Removal  of  Matured  Flowers. — Every  experienced 
cultivator  of  j^lants  and  flowers  probably  knows  the  good  effect 
that  the  removing  of  flowers,  as  soon  as  they  are  fully  developed, 
or  before  the  petals  fall,  causes  to  a  plant,  by  increasing  its  gen- 
eral productiveness,  and  the  size  of  the  future  flowers.  A  study 
of  vegetable  physiology  discloses,  and  practical  observation  fully 
confirms  the  fact,  that  the  young  flower  or  bud  taxes  the  vitality 
of  a  plant  to  but  a  slight  degree,  as  compared  with  the  hardening 
of  the  flower  stem,  which  causes  the  petals  to  drop,  and  precedes 
the  ripening  of  the  seed.  This  is  important  to  observe,  jDarticu- 
larly  in  cultivating  Roses,  Verbenas,  Pansies,  Dahlias,  Zinnias, 
Mignonette,  Sweet  Pea,  Double  Petunias,  etc.  I  will  add  that 
some  plants,  like  Mignonette,  which  are  usually  treated  as  an- 
nuals, will  live  and  continue  to  increase  in  beauty  for  years  if  not 
allowed  to  seed. 

The  flowering  season  of  many  things  like  Verbenas,  Geraniums 
and  Dahlias  mav  be  lengthened  almost  every  Autumn,  by  cover- 
ing the  plants  with  mats,  etc. ,  on  cool  niglits  to  protect  from  the 
first  September  frosts.  After  some  quite  sharp  frosts  the  weather 
usually  comes  off  warm  and  pleasant  for  some  time  yet,  and  it  is 
well  to  have  the  benefit  of  this  on  the  plants. 

Preparing-  Plants  for  Winter  Flowering-  —It  should  be 
borne  in  mind  that  in  plant  culture  either  in  the  window  or  the 
conservatory  in  the  Winter  the  natural  conditions  of  heat  sun- 
light, and  the  lessened  length  of  the  days,  are  adverse  to  the  pro- 
fuse growth  of  vegetation,  and  particularly  the  production  of 
flower  buds;  for  this  reason  it  is  of  the  greatest  iinjwrtance  to 
have  at  the  outset  for  this  purpose,  good  plants  of  strong  vitality. 
When  plants  pass  into  the  Winter  quarters  in  a  weakened  condi- 
tion from  any  cause  they  will  be  apt  to  remain  weali  all  Winter. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


The  bcf.t  way  of  securing  plants  for  Winter  flowering,  especially 
rapid  growing  kinds,  is  to  start  with  young  ones  the  Spring  previ- 
ous, and  prepare  them  during  the  Summer  by  giving  them  a  fav- 
orable opportunity  for  making  a  healthy  growth  in  the  open  air, 
either  in  pots  plunged  to  their  rims  in  soil,  refuse  hops  or  other 
material,  or  by  being  bedded  out.  During  this  time,  and  until 
within  a  month  or  tAvo  of  cold  weather,  practice  a  system  of  head- 
ing them  in  to  cause  a  compact  stocky  growth,  and  also  to  prevent 
the  exhaustion  of  plant  force  by  flowering,  which,  if  allowed, 
would  be  detrimental  to  the  crop  in  Winter.  For  sjDecial  remarks 
on  the  culture  of  all  suitable  varieties,  see  the  direction  accom- 
panying each  kind. 

The  plants  that  were  bedded  during  Summer,  such  as  Carna- 
tions, Violets,  etc.,  should  be  taken  up  and  potted  in  September, 
in  order  that  they  may  fully  recover  from  the  effects  of  the  oper- 
ation before  cold  weather  sets  in.  With  plants  grown  for  the 
beauty  of  their  foliage,  it  is  needless  to  adopt  this  course  of  Sum- 
mer treatment,  further  than  to  have  them  healthy  and  of  fine 
form,  whether  they  be  large  or  small.  Some  small  pots  contain- 
ing pretty  plants,  placed  among  the  larger  ones  of  a  collection 
will  enhance  appearances  greatly.  In  the  Fall  avoid  taking  plants 
into  their  Winter  quarters  too  soon,  but  gradually  inure  them  to 
the  confined  air  of  the  room  or  bay  window  by  keeping  them  in- 
side during  cold  nights  or  cool  weather,  allowing  them  to  be  fully 
exposed  to  the  air  in  partial  shade,  as  under  the  piazza,  or  at  the 
side  of  the  house  during  fine  weather.  In  the  case  of  having  a 
conservatory  the  plants  may  be  placed  in  it  at  once,  but  an  abun- 
dance of  air  should  be  allowed  to  circulate  through  the  structure 
at  all  times  when  the  outside  temperature  will  allow.  The  plants 
grown  in  pots  should  receive  their  final  shift  into  the  pots  or  boxes 
they  are  to  occupy  during  Winter,  in  September  or  October.  We 
find  tliat  a  soil  made  of  two  or  three  parts  of  decomposed  turf 
and  one  part  of  well-rotted  stable  manure,  with  the  addition  of  a 
little  clean  sand,  is  suited  to  nearly  every  plant  grown,  and  is 
better  than  "  chip  ground,"  so  commonly  used. 

Autuniii  Planting-  of  Hardy  Bnlbs.— Were  the  bulbs 
which  are  known  as  the  Hardy  or  Dutch  Bulbs  grown  by  plant- 
ing in  the  Springtime  of  the  year  with  the  Gladiolas,  Tigridia, 
etc.,  their  culture  would  be  more  common,  and  collections  of  the 
choicer  varieties,  such  as  are  conspicuous  for  their   beauty  and 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  33 

giandeur,  would  be  less  rare.  Planting  at  the  approach  of  Win- 
ter is  rather  contrary  to  the  general  rule  of  garden  management, 
and  we  are  inclined  to  neglect  this  only  means  for  securing  the 
flowering  of  Hyacinths,  Tulips,  Crocus,  etc.,  early  the  following 
Spring,  or  for  improving  the  collections  that  may  already  be  grow- 
ing in  our  gardens,  which  consist  far  too  often  of  inferior  Tarie- 
ties,  considering  the  trifling  outlay  which  is  necessary  for  obtain- 
ing a  better  collection. 

The  planting  of  the  hardy  bulbs  may  be  done  at  any  time  during 
the  months  of  September,  October  and  November,  or  even  later, 
provided  the  ground  remains  unfrozen  later,  which  is  sometimes 
the  case.  To  be  entirely  safe,  it  is  best,  perhaps  not  to  defer  the 
work  much  after  October.  Bulbs  will  succeed  in  any  good  gar- 
den soil ;  in  order,  however,  to  secure  the  highest  degree  of  suc- 
cess in  their  culture,  it  is  necessary  to  plant  in  a  soil  that  is  well 
drained  and  enriched  with  thoroughly  decayed  manure.  Hya- 
cinths require  a  richer  soil  than  any  others.  When  all  plantings 
have  been  completed,  and  before  Winter  sets  in,  cover  the  beds 
with  several  inches  of  leaves,  straw  or  other  coarse  litter,  to  pre- 
vent severe  freezing  from  injuring  the  bulbs.  In  situations  ex- 
posed to  the  wind,  a  few  brush  or  sticks  thrown  on  will  prevent 
its  being  blown  off.  Early  in  the  Spring  this  Fall  covering  should 
be  removed.  Where  beds  planted  with  hardy  Spring-flowering 
bulbs  are  required  for  Summer  flowers,  Hyacinths,  Tuhps,  etc., 
may  be  safely  taken  up  to  prepare  for  planting  the  coming  Fall,  as 
early  as  two  weeks  after  the  flowers  have  disappeared,  provided 
the  precaution  of  covering  the  bulbs  with  soil,  to  allow  the  foliage 
to  become  gradually  ripened,  is  observed. 

Taking-  up  Plants  in  tlie  Fall.— Many  kinds  of  bedding 
plants,  such  as  Geraniums,  Veronicas,  Stocks,  Salvias,  Ageratums, 
Roses,  Carnations,  etc.  can  be  taken  up  from  the  flower-beds  at  the 
approach  of  frosts,  and  transferred  into  pots,  or  even  packed  thickly 
in  boxes  of  soil,  for  use  another  year,  bj'  taking  care  to  have  some 
earth  adhering  to  the  roots,  and  by  keeping  in  a  rather  dry  and  cool 
cellar,  or  in  a  good  cold  pit  through  the  AYinter.  It  must,  however, 
be  done  at  the  sacrifice  of  much  autumnal  beauty,  as  all  such  plants 
should  receive  when  lifted  a  severe  cutting  back  of  at  least  cue- 
third  or  one-half  of  the  shoots.  But  this  is  gain  after  all,  for 
plants  like  these  kept  over,  in  most  cases,  make  a  better  show 
the  next  year  than  the  plants  of  the  present  season's  striking. 
Give  the  plants  one  thorough  watering  when  potted  ;  after  which 


34  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

they  should  be  kept  rather  dry  till  Spring,  when,  after  new  growth 
commences,  water  may  be  given  every  few  days  apart  in  increased 
quantities  as  they  commence  making  a  new  growth, 

Cold  Pits  for  Winter  Protection.— A  cold  pit,  made  by 
excavating  the  soil  in  some  dry  spot  in  the  garden,  to  the  depth 
of  two  feet  and  upwards,  and  of  a  size  suitable  to  be  covered  with 
glass  sash,  forms  one  of  the  most  inexpensive  and  efficient  appli- 
ances that  can  be  introduced  into  the  flower  garden.  It  will 
answer  the  purpose  of  wintering  tender  Roses,  Carnations,  and 
many  other  plants,  much  better  than  a  cellar,  especially  if  the 
latter  is  too  dark,  too  damp  or  too  warm.  A  pit  also  provides 
the  means  for  keeping  up  a  succession  of  flowers  of  Alba  Fimbriata 
and  other  Pinks,  Roses,  Deutzia,  Iberis,  Violets,  Lily  of  the  Val- 
ley, etc.,  during  the  Winter  in  the  house  or  conservatory,  by  care- 
fully taking  these  up  from  the  garden,  and  after  potting,  storing 
them  in  the  cold  pit,  until  they  are  brought  into  the  heat  and  bet- 
ter light,  which  may  be  done  at  intervals  during  the  Winter  and 
Spring.  Indeed,  a  conservatory  can  hardly  be  considered  com- 
pletely equipped  without  a  cold  pit  near  at  hand  to  serve  this 
purpose.  The  sash  used  to  cover  the  pit  may  be  similar  to  those 
made  for  hot-beds,  an  ordinary  size  being  six  feet  long,  by  three 
and  one-half  feet  wide.  The  sides  against  the  soil  should  be 
boarded  up  or  walled  up  with  brick  or  stone,  which  should  run  a 
foot  above  the  surface  at  the  rear,  and  nine  inches  above  it  on  the 
front  side,  the  top  of  the  end  w^alls  having  a  regular  slope  from 
rear  to  front,  and  all  flnished  to  give  support  to  the  sash.  Bank 
up  the  part  of  the  wall  that  projects  above  the  surface,  and  scat- 
ter an  inch  or  two  of  coal  ashes  or  gravel  in  the  bottom  of  the 
pit,  on  which  to  place  the  plants.  About  all  the  attention  a  pit 
requires  after  the  plants  are  in,  is  to  ventilate  when  the  weather 
will  allow,  and  to  cover  the  glass  with  shutters  or  mats  of  straw 
or  other  material,  sufficient  to  keep  out  hard  frost  in  severe  cold 
weather.  Aside  from  one  thorough  watering  when  tlie  plants 
are  potted,  water  should  be  sparingly  given  to  them  during  the 
Winter. 


THE    HOME   FLORIST.  35 


PROPAGATION. 

Many  j)lants  that  do  not  bear  seed  freely,  or  which  cannot  be 
increased  by  division  of  tlie  roots,  are  best  propagated  from  cut- 
tings or  layeis  of  the  young  growing  slioots.  Tlie  florist  finds 
propagation  from  cuttings  about  the  only  practical  means  of  in- 
creasing the  majority  of  that  class  of  plants  commonly  known 
as  green-house  and  bedding  plants,  in  which  may  be  included  such 
valuable  house  plants  as  Tender  Roses,  Geraniums,  Fuchsias,  Car- 
nations, Heliotropes  and  many  others  of  equal  importance  as  out- 
door decorative  plants.  As  the  two  methods  here  alluded  to  are 
quite  distinct,  I  shall  treat  each  separately,  commencing  with 
that  of  propagating  from  cuttings,  as  this  is  the  more  commonly 
employed  of  the  two. 

The  principal  conditions  essential  to  propagation  from  cuttings 
are  nearly  the  same  with  all  plants  susceptible  of  being  thus  j^er- 
petuated.  These  are  first,  the  proper  condition  of  the  cutting : 
second,  that  it  be  rightly  pruned  before  putting  in  ;  third,  that 
it  receive  suitable  treatment  w^hile  rooting  ;  and  fourth,  that  after 
it  is  rooted  the  transplanting  from  the  cutting-box  or  bed  to  soil  be 
done  at  the  right  time,  and  then  finally,  that  it  be  properly  at- 
tended until  it  becomes  a  well-established  plant. 

With  the  generality  of  kinds  the  ends  of  newly  formed  shoots 
make  the  best  cuttings,  and  are  much  better  than  old  hardened 
growth.  There  is  a  certain  time  and  condition  in  the  growth  of 
plant  shoots  in  which,  if  a  cutting  be  taken,  it  will  strike  root  and 
make  a  plant  better  than  at  any  other  time.  To  ascertain  this  con- 
dition, and  how  far  back  it  extends  from  the  growing  terminal  bud, 
let  us  bear  in. mind  that  there  are  different  degrees  of  hardness 
present  in  the  wood— the  yougest  part  being  the  softest,  while  to- 
ward the  base  of  the  shoot  it  is  likely  quite  hard  and  fibrous.  By 
taking  a  cutting  off,  down  in  this  hardened  portion  of  the  shoot, 
it  would  be  found  to  root  slowly,  and  in  some  plants  not  at  all,  and 
at  best  would  make  a  plant  of  inferior  quality  ;  while  with  adopt- 
ing the  opposite  extreme,  making  a  short  cutting  of  the  succulent 
young  growth  only,  it  would  be  still  less  Hkely  to  root,  if  not 
quickly  decay.  Now  the  right  place  to  cut  the  shoot  is  at  the 
furthest  point  in  from  the  end  where  it  is  somewhat  hardened. 


36 


THE  HOME   FLORIST. 


and  yet  sufficiently  brittle  to  snap  off  with  a  clean  break  instead 
of  bending  without  breaking,  or  parting  with  a  rough  break  with 
the  libers  of  the  bark  protruding.  Practice  wull  demonstrate  that 
in  the  difference  of  one  joint  there  is  considerable  variation  in  the 
hardness  of  the  growth  ;  it  is  always  better  to  break  or  cut  at  a 
point  which  is  rather  soft  than  at  one  that  has  become  too  hard. 
A  little  experience  will  put  the  careful  operator  in  the  way  of  de- 
terming  the  right  place  with  scarcely  a  failure. 

To  rightly  prune  or  trim  a  cutting  requires  that  the  superfluous 
leaves  be  removed,  and  that  the  base  be  cut  away  with  a  sharp 
knife.     Cuttings  of  some  plants  will  callus  and  form  roots  at  the 

base,  no  matter  whether  it  be  just  be- 
low a  leaf  joint  or  not,  while 
others  seem  to  root  best  from  the  leaf 
joints,  and  these  should  accordingly 
be  cut  oft'  just  here.  It  would  be 
best,  perhaps,  for  amateurs  to  cut  all 
just  below  a  joint,  as  with  limited  ex- 
perience they  have  little  opportunity  for 
assertaining  which  varieties  do,  and 
which  do  not,  require  it.  Fig.  17  repre- 
sents a  Geranium  shoot  as  taken  from 
a  cutting  ready  for  striking  made 
from  it.  A  point  below  the  fourth  leaf,  counting  from 
above,  was  found  right  for  cutting,  and  here  the  cut  was  made 
close  up  to  the  joint  The  fourth  leaf  was  removed,  and 
also  parts  of  the  largest  remaining  leaves  were  nipped  off 
to  admit  air  and  light  to  the  cuttings,  where  many  are  put  in 
close  together.  This  cutting  away  the  tips  is  well  with  all  varie- 
ties having  large  leaves,  as  it  also  prevents  an  unnecessary  absorp- 
tion of  moisture  from  the  material  in  which  the  cutting  is  placed 
to  root. 

Clean  sand  is  the  best  material  in  which  to  strike  cuttings. 
Whether  placed  in  a  propagating  house  where,  in  cold  weather, 
the  sand  may  be  heated  from  below  to  be  fifteen  degrees  warmer 
than  the  air  in  the  house,  or  in  a  box  or  pan,  it  should  be  about 
three  inches  deep,  and  be  underlaid  by  broken  pots  or  other 
material  for  drainage.  According  to  their  size,  cuttings  are  put 
into  the  sand  at  various  depths  and  distances  apart,  from  an  inch 
for  long-jointed  ones  to  a  third  or  half  inch  for  small  ones,  and 
at  such  a  distance  that  the  leaf  points  just  touch.  Water  thoroughly 


Fig.  17.    Branch  and 

Cutting  of  Geranium. 

the     plant,     and     also 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  37 

when  the  cuttings  are  first  set,  and  then  daily  or  every  other 
day  as  they  require  it,  only  guarding  against  allowing  the  surface 
to  become  dry.  Outside  of  a  regular  propagating  bed,  a  bright, 
sunny  place  in  the  window,  where  some  air  can  be  admitted,  is 
the  best  place  for  the  cuttings,  but  whenever  the  sun  shines  shade 
with  paper. 

From  one  to  three  or  four  weeks  is  the  usual  time  required  for 
cuttings  to  root,  depending  upon  the  condition  of  the  cutting  or  on 
the  kinds,  some  rooting  much  sooner  than  others.  It  is  better  to 
pot  them  off  as  soon  as  the  roots  can  be  seen  than  to  wait  until 
they  become  an  inch  or  two  long,  which  endangers  their  being 
broken  off.  Their  state  may  be  easily  ascertained  while  they  are 
yet  in  the  sand  by  drawing  some  out  for  examination,  which 
can  be  replaced  again.  The  callusing  process  always  directly  pre- 
cedes  the  formation  of  roots,  this  being  an  irregular  growth 
which  forms  upon  the  base  or  along  the  side  of  a  cutting,  and 
its  presence  is  a  healthy  sign  that  roots  will  quickly  appear.  Af- 
ter potting  off,  much  the  same  care  should  be  given  the  cuttings 
as  regards  shading  and  watering,  as  they  received  in  the  cutting 
bed,  for  the  length  of  a  week,  or  until  the  roots  have  started  new 
growth  in  the  soil.  Never  put  the  most  common  plant  in  a  dirty 
pot.  Never  fill  a  pot  so  lull  of  soil  but  that  it  may  receive  and 
hold  water  enough  to  go  through ;  every  pot  should  have  half  an 
inch  or  more  of  vacancy  above  the  soil. 

Some  plants,  like  Carnations,  Roses  and  many  of  the  hardy 
shrubs  and  vines  are  best  propagated  by  layering,  especially  if 
there  is  no  convenience  of  a  green-house  propagating  bed  at  hand. 
Layering  consists  in  Trending  a  growing  branch  into  a  depression 

at  the  side  of  the  plant,  covering  it 
with  soil  to  induce  rooting,  and  allow- 
ing the  growing  extremity  to  extend 
out  of  the  soil  to  form  a  new  plant. 
Fig.  18  represents  a  Carnation  branch 
prepared  for  layering.  In  preparing 
the  layer,  at  the  lowest  point  of  the 
bend  an  oblique  cut  is  made  from  the 
under  side,  about  half  or  two-thirds 
Fig.  18.  Layering  the  way  through  the  branch.  This  is 
Carnation.  done  for  the  purpose   of  preventing 

the  free  return  of  the  sap  to  the  plant  which  tends  to  the  forma- 
tion of  roots.    To  keep  the  layer  in  place  it  should  be  pegged  down 


THE    HOME    FLORIST. 


as  shown  in  the  cut.  A  small  bit  of  wood  or  other  substance 
should  also  be  inserted  in  the  cut  to  keep  it  from  growing  together. 
The  separation  from  the  parent  plant  is  not  effected  until  the  layer 
is  suificiently  provided  with  roots,  which  will  usually  be  in  from 
six  to  twelve  %veeks,  although  layers  of  some  hard-wooded  plants 
require  a  year  or  two  to  become  rooted,  but  these  are  rarely  in  the 
line  of  plants  which  amateurs  propagate. 

The  "  saucer  "  system  of  propagating  cuttings  is  an  excellent 
one  for  amateurs.  It  consists  of  placing  these  close  together 
in  a  saucer  or  dish  containing  several  inches  of  sand,  and 
then  keeping  the  sand  thoroughly  satwated  with  water  until 
the  cuttings  are  rooted.  There  is  no  need  of  shading  the  cuttings 
from  the  sun,  and  the  saucers  may  be  kept  constantly  in  the  sun- 
light, provided  sufficient  water  is  at  all  times  present. 

HANGING    BASKETS   AND    GARDEN 

VASES. 

The  plants  of  drooping,  trailing  and  climbing  habits  are  always 
interesting  and  attractive,  if  planted  where  their  peculiar  growth 
can  be  accommodated.  The  proper  place  for  these  is  found 
in  hanging  baskets,  garden  vases,  window  boxes,  etc.,  and 
these  with  judicious  planting,  form  very  effective  means  of 
adornment.  Hanging  baskets  are  indeed  very  popular,  be- 
cause they  are  so  easily  given  a  place,  even  about  houses 
that  afford  no  room  for  a  flower  garden,  accommodating  them- 
elves  to  positions  like  under  a  piazza  or  tree,  or  a  trellis  on 
the  side  of  a  house,  or  in  front  of  a  window,  and  thus  enabling 
thousands  of  plant  admirers  to  possess  a  luxuriant  growth  of 
plants  and  flowers,  who  but  for  them  would  be  deprived  of  the 
pleasure.  Another  recommendation  for  the  hanging  basket  is  its 
slight  cost,  which,  indeed,  need  be  very  little  aside  from  the  cost 
of  necessary  plants,  where  a  person  possesses  any  skill  at  construc- 
tion. A  piece  of  strong  wire,  shaped  and  fastened  into  a  circle, 
and  several  yards  of  lighter  w-ire  attached  to  it  and  woven  into  a 
sort  of  basket  or  dish-shaped  stmcture,  which,  with  being  moss- 
lined,  will  answer  for  holding  soil,  is  all  that  is  necessary  for  pro- 
ducing the  most  beautiful  effect.  The  manufactured  eartbern 
hanging  pots,  rustic  and  wire  baskets,  if  of  tasty  design,  are  beau- 
tiful for  this  purpose,  but  where  their  expense  might  be  an  objection , 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


39 


such  a  home-made  basket  will  do  quite  as  well  and  is  pre- 
ferred by  most  peoi^le.  Those  who  are  unacquainted  with  plants  in 
selecting  some  for  this  purpose  should  discriminate  between  droopers 
and  climbers,  and  the  upright  growing  plants  which  are  to  be  used 
as  the  body  of  the  display,  such  as  Begonia,  Centaurea,  Geranium, 


Fig.  19.  A  Hanging  Basket  of  Plants. 
Cuphea,  etc.  By  carefully  reading  the  descriptions  of  plants  given 
in  this  work,  there  will  be  no  need  of  failure  in  making  a  suitable 
selection.  I  will  suggest  that  it  is  scarcely  possible  to  stock  a 
hanging  basket,  much  less  a  garden  vase,  well,  with  plants  grown 
from  seed,  as  every  cultivator  wl  d  has  made  the  attempt  could 
testify.  The  trouble  is,  that  seed-grown  plants  cannot  be  reared 
strong  enough  by  Spring  to  make  any  show;  and  are  not  perma- 
nent enough  in  the  attractiveness  of  individual  plants;  besides, 
only  a  few  are  strictly  suitable,  Sweet  Alyssum.  Thunbergia, 
Petunia  and  Maurandia  being  the  best  that  can  be  recommended 
and  for  this  purpose  the  seeds  should  be  sown  very  early. 


40  THE  HOME   FLORIST. 


For  adorning  the  lawn  or  the  garden,  nothing  can  he  finer  than 
a  vase  of  chaste  design,  of  iron,  stone  or  earthenware,  jjlanted 
with  droopers  at  the  edge,  and  Geraniums,  HeUotropes,  Fuchsias, 
Caladiums,  Cannas,  or  other  attractive  flowering  and  showy 
plants  in  the  centre.  Vases  if  made  of  iron,  are  usually  some- 
what costly,  but  by  removing  them  into  a  shed  or  outhouse  at  the 
approach  of  Winter  they  may  do  service  for  a  lifetime,  on  which 
account  they  do  not  jDrove  so  expensive  after  all.  Many  people 
prefer  a  rustic  vase  and  these  need  not  be  costly  to  most  persons, 
as  they  are  readily  made  with  the  use  of  a  few  tools,  from  material 
procured  from  the  woods. 

Maiiag-enieiit. — The  management  of  vases  and  hanging 
baskets  and  window  boxes  is  nearly  identical.  I  desire  to  im- 
press upon  the  minds  of  those  who  have  their  care  in  hand,  the 
importance  of  supplying  them  M'ith  an  abundance  of  water  as 
needed.  Especially  during  hot  weather  v^'ater  should  be  given  to 
them  in  sufficient  quantity  to  thoroughly  moisten  every  portion  of 
soil  every  time  it  is  required,  and  this  in  dry  weather  will  be  pretty 
often.  This  is  about  the  only  matter  in  which  Abases  and  baskets 
need  attention  after  they  are  once  established,  and  the  difference 
between  their  being  well  grown  or  poorly  grown,  nine  times  out 
of  ten,  may  be  directly  ascribed  to  the  amount  of  attention  or  ne- 
glect they  receive  in  this  respect.  (Temperature  33°,  45°,  80°,  ex- 
cept where  noted  or  elsewhere  described).  See  Temperature,  un- 
der head  of  Plant  Cidture  in  and  about  the  House. 

TRAILERS  FOR  BASKETS,  VASES,  TRELLISES,  ETC. 
Alternantheras.     See  description  of  varieties  in  general  list   of 

plants. 
Coliseum  Ivy,  a  rapid  growing  drooper,  forming  a  dense  mass  of 

long,  dark  green  foliage. 
Deeringia  variegata,   a  beautiful  variegated  plant  of  climbing 

habit.     (35°,  50°,  80^)     ' 
Fic?<s  ?'e29e?2S,  an  admirable  plant  for  baskets,  etc.,   having  smaU, 
almost  round  leaves,  and  wiry  stems;  distinct   and   beautiful. 
(40°,  50^  80°,) 
Gazanias.     See  description  of  varieties  in  general  list  of  plants. 
Oeraniums.     See  descriprion  of  Ivy-leaf  section  in  special  article. 
German  Ivy  (Senecio  Mikanoides),  not  an  ivy  at  all,  but  so-called 
because  of  its  ivy-shaped  leaves;  one  of  our  most  rapid  grow- 
ing climbers,  always  healthy,  beautiful  and  attractive;  very 
desirable.     (33«,  45?,  75^) 


THE   HOME    FLORIST.  4I 


Isolepsis  gracilis,  one  of  the  grasses,  forming  a  dense  plant  of 
gracefully-drooping  round  blades  of  lively  green  color,  each 
bearing  a  small  tuft-like  bud  at  its  end.     (35°,  50'',  yO^\) 

Ivies.     See  description  of  varieties  in  the  article  on  Ivies. 

Lobelias,  exceedingly  valuable  droopers;  see  description  of  varie- 
ties in  general  list  of  j^lants. 

Lonicera  aurea  reticulata,  a  pretty  climber;  the  foliage  is  dis- 
tinctly netted  with  gold  upon  green;  very  desirable  for  trelhs 
culture;  the  root  is  hardy,  with  slight  protection. 

LopJiospliernum  scandens,  a  climber,  with  attractive  heart-shaped 
foliage.     (34^,  50 ^  80^) 

Madeira  Viiie,  well-known  as  an  excellent  climber  for  both  Sum- 
mer and  Winter  culture,  with  beautiful  thick,  glossy  foliage; 
excellent  to  train  up  the  window  and  for  trellis;  a  tuberous 
plant,  very  easily  grown.  The  dry  tuber  should  be  kept  in  a 
warm,  dry  j^lace  in  Winter.     (For  forcing,  So'',  50'',  90^.) 

Mahernia  odorata,  a  beautiful  plant,  with  finely-cut  foliage,  cov- 
ered in  Spring  with  very  many  sweet-scented,  bright  yellow 
flowers  of  bell  shape;  excellent  in  pots.     (34",  50"^,  75'^.) 

Maurandia  Barclayana,  a  superb  climber  of  rapid,  dense  growth, 
producing  many  flowers  of  fox-glove  shape;  among  the  best 
of  plants  for  covering  trellises  in  the  open  ground.  It  is 
readily  grown  from  seed,  which  should  be  sown  early.  (34°, 
50^  75°.) 

Mesembryanthemums.  See  description  of  varieties  in  general  hst 
of  plants. 

Mimulus  7noschatus,  the  Musk  Plant,  the  leaves  of  which  emit 
a  genuine,  yet  delicate,  musky  odor;  of  compact,  drooping 
habit;  very  attractive  as  a  pot  plant.  It  can  be  propagated 
either  from  seed,  cuttings,  or  by  division  of  the  roots  in  the 
Spring.  The  plant  may  be  kept  in  a  half  dormant  state  dur- 
ing Winter.     (This  and  the  following  one,  34°,  45°,  89°.) 

Mimulus  triginoides,  a  variety  producing  exceedingly  beautiful 
golden  and  orange  flowers  of  tubular  shape,  with  the  richest 
maroon  spots  and  blotches.     Both  delight  in  moisture. 

Moneyvine  (Lysimachia  nummelaria),  one  of  our  most  valuable 
droopers;  has  handsome,  dark  green,  chain-like  foliage:  its 
rapid  growing  shoots  will  fall  o\qv  the  edge  of  a  vase  or  bas- 
ket, and  grow  to  the  length  of  three  or  more  feet;  flowers 
beautifully  in  June. 


42  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Moneyvine,  Golden  (L.  lunnmelaria  aurea).  This  is  a  variety 
quite  similar  to  the  above,  in  form  of  foliage  and  habit,  but 
the  color  of  the  leaves  is  nearly  golden  yellow;  not  so  rapid  a 
grower. 

Poa  trivalis,  another  fine  grass,  w-ith  narrow  white  and  green 
variegated  leaves.     (40^,  60^  80°.) 

Saxifraga  sarmentosa  (Strawberry  Geranium),  a  running  straw- 
berry-like plant  of  curious  and  interesting  growth,  with  striped 
and  mottled  foliage. 

Torrenia  Asiatica,  a  pretty  drooping  x^lant;  will  not  bear  much 
cold;  flowers  blue,  of  lovely  tint  and  shaj^e,  and  extremely 
beautiful;  excellent  for  pot  culture  in  a  warm  place.  (40^, 
60^  80°.) 

Tradescantia  Vulgaris  (Joint  Plant  —Wandering  Jew),  an  old- 
fashioned  drooper  of  the  easiest  culture,  with  beautiful  dark 
glossy  foliage.     It  is  quite  certain  of  giving  satisfaction. 

Tradescantia  repens  vittata.  The  leaves  variegated,  as  shown 
in  the  engraving;  are  of  a  clear,  waxy  white  and  whitish  yel- 
low color,  on  bright,  glossy  green  ground.  Like  all  Trade- 
scantias,  it  is  particularly  recommendable  for  home  cultiva- 
tion, either  in  baskets  or  pots,  as  it  will  thrive  in  a  tempera- 
ture either  high  or  low,  in  a  moist  or  dry  atmosphere,  and  is 
not  at  all  particular  as  regards  light,  in  this  resj)ect  being  al- 
most equal  to  the  Ivy. 

Tradescantia  zehrina,  a  variety  with  finely-striped  green  and 
reddish  leaves. 

Variegated  Thyme,  very  desirable  as  a  drooper  and  bedder,  the 
foliage  being  distinctly  variegated. 

Vinca  minor  variegata,  one  of  the  best  and  most  attractive  droop- 
ers  in  cultivation;  the  leaves  are  from  one  to  two  inches  in 
diameter,  and  distinctly  variegated;  a  rapid  grower. 
Other  plants  suitable  for  hanging  baskets,    vases,    etc.,    are   de- 
scribed throughout  the  general  list. 

PLANT  CULTURE  IN  AND  ABOUT  THE 

HOUSE. 

There  are  many  persons  so  restricted  in  their  surroundings  as  re- 
gards room  for  flo\\'er  growing  that  they  liave  to  content  them- 
selves with  cultivating  plants  only  in  and  about  the  house,    con- 


THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


43 


verting  a  sunny  or  bay  window  into  plant  quarters  in  Winter,  and 
moving  their  plants  under  the  veranda,  or  into  the  open  air  when 
warm  weather  apiDroaches.  This,  with  the  planting  of  outside 
windoT\^  boxes  in  Summer,  the  growing  of  hanging  baskets,  Fern- 
eries, or  Wardian  cases,  and  Ivies  for  permanent,  are  about  the 
limit  to  which  they  dan  indulge  in  plant-decorations.  It  is,  how- 
ever, a  pleasure  to  know  that  even  under  such  circumstances  it  is 
not  a  very  difficult  matter,  by  going  about  it  rightly,  to  have  a 
beautiful  show  of  plants  and  flowers  continually  throughout  the 
year,  without  any  great  outlay  of  trouble  and  expense. 

Opeii-Air  Window  Boxes. — Fig.  21  is  an  illustration  of 

the    use    of    Open-Air 
Window    Boxes    as    a 
ready  means  of  grow- 
ing j)lants  and  flowers, 
and  which  is  adapted 
for    ornamenting    the 
windows  of  any  room, 
either  inside  or  out,  be 
it  in  the  fii-st  or  fifth 
story  of  a  buflding,  as 
many  rooms  in  the  cities 
are.     These  are  simply 
boxes  made  to  fit  the 
window  casing  or  sill, 
and  planted  with  Scar- 
let Geranium,  Mignon- 
ette,   the    pretty    blue 
Lobelia,  Verbena .  Kcses, 
and  in  fact  about  all 
kinds  of  plants  suitable 
for  the  open  air.  Morn- 
ing Glory,  Ivy,  Madeira 
Vine,  or  other  climbers 
are  suitable  for  plant- 
ing at  the  ends  of  such 
boxes  to  be  trained  on 
wires    up   and  around 


Fig.  21.     Open-Air  Window  Box. 
the  windows. 


44  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

Plant  Culture  in  Winter. — To  learn  what  can  be  done  at 
plant  forcing  in  winter,  under  favorable  circumstances,  it  is  only 
necessary  to  see  the  large  crops  of  flowers  that  are  daily  cut,  and 
also  the  beautiful  foliage  plants  grown  at  this  season,  in  the  com- 
mercial greenhouses.  I  would  not  encourage  the  thought  that 
plants  can  be  grown  as  well  in  the  dwelling  as  in  the  florist's  well- 
appointed  structures,  yet  very  satisfactory  results  can  be  obtained 
here  by  nearly  every  one  if  only  the  matter  is  properly  entered 
upon  and  executed.  Sometimes  those  whose  efforts  in  growing 
flovv^ers  in  the  open  air  are  well  rewarded,  find  disappointment  at- 
tending similar  undertakings  in  the  Winter  to  their  surprise.  No 
doubt  the  cause  of  this  lies  more  frequently  in  the  fact  that  the 
necessary  course  of  treatment  is  not  sufficiently  understood,  than 
that  the  conditions  of  light,  heat,  etc.,  which  the  dwelling  affords, 
are  unfavorable  to  plant  life.  Such  conditions  have  their  influ- 
ence surely,  but,  then,  the  adaptability  of  plants  is  so  varied,  that 
at  least  a  number  of  varieties  may  be  found  which  will  thrive  un- 
der any  circumstances  that  are  likely  to  exist  in  our  dwellings. 
Under  the  head  of  "Open- Air  Floriculture"  are  given  directions 
for  preparing  plants  for  Winter  flowering. 

The  Winter  Quarters. — Next  to  a  conservatory,  built  ex- 
pressly for  plants,  a  bay  window,  off  from  the  living-room,  and 
from  which  it  will  receive  sufficient  warmth,  is  the  best  place  for 
cultivating  plants  in  Winter,  although  a  window  facing  east, 
south,  or  west,  answers  the  purpose  very  well.  Should  we  be 
even  less  fortunate  and  have  only  windows  with  a  northern  ex- 
posure, and  no  sun  in  Winter,  there  is  no  need  of  being  entirely 
deprived  of  the  beauty  of  plants  and  flowers,  because  the  Ivies, 
Begonias,  Euonymus,  Callas,  Tradescantias,  Achryanthes,  etc. , 
and,  perhaps,  most  important  of  all,  the  entire  list  of  Hardy 
Bulbs,  all  of  which  will  readily  dispense  with  direct  sunlight,  will 
thrive  beautifully  here  with  fair  conditions  of  heat,  air  and  moist- 
ure. But  these  last  named  things  are  essential  to  plant  growth 
under  any  other  circumstances  as  well. 

Temperature,  Selection  of  Plants,  Protection,  etc. 

—The  amateur,  vdio,  for  the  first  time  might  want  to  engage  in 
plant  culture  in  the  windoM%  would  naturally  ask,  what  plants 
can  best  be  grown  in  my  house  ?  The  ans\ver  to  this  question  is 
not  a  very  difficult  one  to  arrive  at  in  each  case,  provided  first,  that 
the  temperature  which  can  be  maintained  in  the  plant  quarters  to  bt. 


Tea  Rose  White  Bon  Silene 


46 


THE   HOME  FLORIST. 


is  known,  and  then  also  the  degrees  of  temperature  which  the  vari- 
ous plants  suited  to  Winter  culture  will  best  thrive  in  respectively, 
Recall  to  your  mind  the  lowest  temperature  of  previous  seasons, 
as  indicated  by  the  thermometer,  or  if  you  were  without  this  al- 
most indispensable  instrument  to  the  plant  grower,  recollect 
whether  it  ever  fell  to  32^— the  freezing  point— and  allow  this 
knowledge  to  guide  you  as  to  the  lowest  extreme.  Now  for  guid- 
ance in  making  selections  suited  to  your  temperature,  observe  the 
figures  and  degrees  in  parenthesis  which  have  been  placed  in  con- 
nection with  the  names  of  all  the  plants  described  throughout 
this  work  as  suitable  for  window  culture.  These  figures  indicate 
the  extremes  of  temperature  that  every  plant  described  will  bear, 
and  also  the  intermediate  degree  most  congenial  to  its  growth  as 
a  night  temperature.  To  render  this  more  clear,  let  us  take  as  an 
instance  the  Abutilons.  described  on  the  125th  page.  The  descrip- 
tions and  cultural  directions  of  this  family  are  preceded  by  (33. 
45,  85^),  which  indicates  that  the  plants  will  bear  a  temperature 
of  33°  as  one  extreme  and  85°  as  the  other,  for  some  time  without 
injury,  while  45°  is  best  suited  to  the  plant  as  a  night  tempera- 
ture; ten  to  twenty-five  degrees  above  this  is  to  be  considered 
nearest  right  for  their  grow^th  in  the  daytime. 
It  should  be  understood  in  this  connection  that  plants   can  be 

safely  kept  through  several  additional 
degrees  of  cold  than  indicated  by  the 
first  temperature  figure  (lowest  extreme) 
by  protection,  and  it  is  safe  to  calculate 
somewhat  on  this  for  the  few  excessively 
severe  nights  of  each  Winter,  by  giving 
the  more  tender  ones  especial  care  at  such 
times.  Simply  pinning  several  thick- 
nesses of  newspaper  over  a  plant,  as 
shown  in  the  annexed  cut,  would  pro- 
tect it  sufficiently  for  remaining  a  num- 
ber of  hours  in  a  temperature  from  five 
to  ten  degrees  lower  than  it  would  other- 
wise bear.  Ordinarily  wdiere  danger 
from  frost  is  apprehended  from  leaving 
plants  next  to  the  window,  they  can  be 
romoved  to  the  middle  or  further  side  of  the  room,  w^hich  is  sure 
to  be  several  degrees  warmer.  By  setting  them  close  together  it 
is  easy  to  protect  the  lot  by  spreading  newspapers  on  them  and 


Fig.  22.    Protection. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  4/ 

throwing  a  blanket  over  all.  It  really  does  not  seem  necessary 
to  mention  that  to  correct  too  high  a  temperature  in  the  plant 
quarters  air  should  be  admitted  from  the  outside. 

The  various  varieties  of  the  Ivy  family  possess  so  many  desira- 
ble qualities  as  house  plants,  thriving  under  such  widely  varying 
conditions,  that  they  are  recommended  to  all  cultivators  as  a  class 
with  which  failure  is  scarcely  possible. 

Indoor  Plant  Management. — Airing.— As  often  as  the 
weather,  from  its  mildness,  will  allow  of  introducing  air  among 
the  plants  from  the  outside,  it  should  be  done,  but  be  careful  to 
avoid  a  strong,  direct  draft  of  wind  upon  them.  Cold  air  strik- 
ing on  Roses  is  the  common  cause  of  mildew.  Maintain  a  tem- 
perature as  nearly  uniform  as  possible,  endeavoring  to  keep  it  at 
a  degree  best  suited  to  the  majority  of  the  plants  in  the  collection, 
being  guided  in  this  respect  by  the  figures  in  parenthesis  which 
accompany  the  descriptions  of  plants. 

Moisture  and  Watering. — One  difficulty  amateurs  have  to  con- 
tend with  in  growing  plants  in  the  living  room — especially  if  heat- 
ed with  anthracite  coal  stoves  and  furnaces— is  dryness  of  the 
atmosphere.  This  can  in  a  measure  be  obviated  by  nailing  a  nar- 
row strip  of  board  on  the  front  and  back  edges  of  the  plant-stand 
shelves,  or  false  bottom  of  the  window  sill,  and  filling  up  with 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  of  sand,  upon  which  the  pots  are  to  be 
placed ;  keeping  the  sand  quite  wet.  The  moisture  escaping  coun- 
teracts the  dryness  of  the  air.  It  will  improve  appearances  to 
cover  the  surface  between  the  pots  with  n  oss.  Sprinkle  the  foliage 
of  all  growing  plants  occasionally,  and  whenever  the  surface  of 
the  earth  shows  signs  of  dryness,  w^ater  so  that  the  soil  is  sat- 
urated and  no  more.  Too  much  water  passing  through  impov- 
erishes the  soil  and  does  the  plant  no  good.  As  a  rule,  in  the  Win- 
ter, do  not  allow  water  to  stand  in  the  saucers  continually,  as  it 
tends  to  sour  the  earth. 

Insects. — If  any  plants  become  infested  with  Aphis  or  Green- 
fly, take  a  handful  of  tobacco  stems,  steep  in  water  until  it  looks 
like  strong  tea,  and  wash  the  affected  foliage,  or  else  fumigate 
the  plants  by  burning  tobacco  stems  in  a  close  apartment  or  even 
a  large  box  in  which  they  have  been  placed.  The  presence  of  the 
minute  Red  Spider  on  the  underside  of  the  leaves  of  plants,  and 
causing  them  to  turn  brown,  indicates  too  try  an  atmosphere 
wdiere  they  are.  Any  plants  afl!ected  should,  several  times  daily, 
receive  a  thorough  sprinkling  or  washing   with   water.     Mealy 


48 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Sunset. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  49 

Bug  and  Scale,  if  they  appear,  may  be  exterminated  by  washing 
and  brushing  the  affected  part  of  the  plant  with  warm  soapsuds. 
To  remove  Angle  Worms,  plants  should  be  tajjped  out  of  the  pots 
and  the  worms  picked  from  the  ball  of  earth. 

Improving'  Plants  by  Pruning-. — "How  shall  I  grow 
my  plants  compact  and  symmetrical  in  form  ?  "  is  a  question 
frequently  asked  by  amateur  florists.  It  is  a  simple  matter,  and 
is  accomplished  by  jud  cious  pruning  and  cutting.  In  nearly  aU 
flowering  plants,  excepting  those  grown  from  bulbs,  also  in 
trees  and  shrubs,  buds  are  formed  at  the  axis  of  the  leaves 
along  the  stem  or  branches,  w^hile  the  growth  usually  proceeds 
from  its  termination.  This,  in  tender  perennial  plants,  if  not 
checked,  continues  to  grow,  and  may  cause  a  tall  or  unshapely 
form,  but  by  cutting  off  at  any  point,  or  pinching  out  the  termi- 
nal buds,  new  shoots  start  out  at  the  leaf-joints  below  the  cut, 
or  if  already  started,  commence  to  grow  with  increased  vigor, 
and  will,  in  due  time,  result  in  a  better-shaped  and  more  bushy 
plant  or  branch.  Pruning  or  pinching  should  be  more  generally 
resorted  to  than  it  is^  for,  by  observing  the  principle  of  growth 
alluded  to,  and  varying  the  pruning  to  the  habit  of  the  kind, 
it  is  just  as  easy  to  have  your  plants,  either  in  the  house,  con- 
servatory or  garden,  of  fine  form,  as  to  have  them  otherwise, 
and  they  are  so  much  more  rewarding  and  agreeable  to  work 
among.  Little  danger  exists  of  cutting  away  too  much;  persons 
who  resort  to  pruning  frequently  err  in  cutting  too  little.  Old 
plants  with  long,  leafless  branches  may  be  entirely  reshaped  by 
severe  pruning. 

Keep  the  Plants  Clean.— To  be  healthy  a  plant  must 
have  clean  foliage,  and  it  is  necessary  to  go  over  the  window  col- 
lection occasionally,  and  wash  the  leaves  by  the  use  of  a  sponge, 
otherwise,  with  the  dust  from  the  room  accumulating  upon  them, 
they  will  in  time  receive  injury.  It  is  a  capital  plan  to  throw  a 
sheet  of  cloth  over  the  plants  when  sweeping  and  until  after  the 
dust  has  settled,  but  even  then  an  occasional  sponging  is  useful. 
In  the  case  of  bay  windows,  glass  doors  or  curtains  should  be 
provided,  which  can  be  closed  during  sweeping. 

Convenient  Fertilizers  for  Pot  Plants.— The  gar- 
gardener  who  would  derive  profitable  returns  from  his  land  for 
years  in  succession,  learns  the  need  of  providing  the  soil  with  an 
equivalent  in  fertilizing  matter— plant  food— for  each   crop  that 


50  THE   HO^IE   FLORIST. 

has  been  taken  from  it.  In  this  is  involved  a  principle  that  will 
apply  to  any  kind  of  husbandry,  and  as  well  to  plant  culture  in 
pots  as  in  the  open  ground.  With  the  treatment  young,  thrifty 
plants  receive  of  being  repotted  occasionally  as  their  growth  ad- 
vances, and  each  time  receiving  a  belt  or  layer  of  new  fertile 
earth,  the  principle  we  have  referred  to  may  appear  and  to  an 
extent  is  exceptional  while  this  goes  on.  But  as  plants  attain 
considerable  size,  it  is  well  not  to  shift  them  so  frequently  as 
when  small;  one  reason  being  that  the  smaller  the  pots  can  be 
kept,  the  more  conveniently  they  are  managed,  and  then  the 
plants  should  receive  some  artificial  stimulant  at  times.  It  may 
be  said  a]sothatgenerally,itisbettertokeepall plants  in  the  small- 
est iDots  that  will  answer  for  them,  and  such  a  course  also  neces- 
sitates providing  the  soil  with  fertilizing  matter  of  some  kind  as 
plant  food.  Some  suitable  article  in  a  concentrated  or  liquid 
form,  is  most  convenient  to  apply,  but  it  must  be  done  w^ith  cau- 
tion by  the  inexperienced  cultivator,  else  it  may  be  too  strong,  or 
ii  given  in  an  overdose,  injury  to  the  plants  result.  For  general 
porposes  a  garden  shovelful  of  rotten  cow  or  horse  manure — that 
taken  from  an  old  hot-bed  is  excellent — put  in  a  barrel  of  water 
and  stirred  up  with  a  stick,  and  then  left  to  settle  before  apply- 
ing to  the  plants,  will  have  a  good  effect  upon  their  growtli  if  sup- 
plied freely,  and  it  will  not  be  strong  enough  to  injure  them.  I 
hardly  care  to  encourage  the  use  of  liquid  manure  made  from 
guano,  except  by  skillful  hands.  It  is  usually  prepared  in  the 
proportion  of  one  large  tablespoonf ul  to  one  gallon  of  hot  water, 
aud  stirred  until  it  is  dissolved.  This  may  be  applied  once  a  week, 
taking  care  not  to  touch  the  plant  or  leaves.  Hen  manure  may 
be  substituted  and  used  in  about  the  same  quantity.  A  safe  liquid 
fertilizer  is  obtained  by  dissolving  a  tablespoonful  of  prepared 
bone,  ground  sufficiently  fine  to  be  soluble,  in  a  gallon  of  warm 
water.  This  may  be  applied  in  sufficient  quantity  to  soak  the  en- 
tire ball  of  earth,  and  will  have  a  remarkable  effect  upon  plant 
growth. 

An  excellent  liquid  fertilizer,  for  Eoses  in  pots  may  be  prepared 
by  dissolving  a  tablespoonful  of  soot  in  two  quarts  of  warm  water. 
By  giving  the  plants  a  small  portion  of  this  each  week  they  will 
make  rapid  advances.  A  solution  of  ammonia,  made  by  dissolv- 
ing a  i  ounce  of  the  crystal  in  two  gallons  of  water,  w^ill  improve 
the  growth  of  plants  if  freely  applied.  One  distinction  between 
rain  water  and  wa'.er  obtained  from   wells  is  tlie  presence  of  a 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  5  I 


small  quantity  of  ammonia  in  the  former,  which  may  be  taken 
as  an  explanation  for  the  usually  accepted  belief,  that  rain  water 
is  better  for  x^lants  than  that  drawn  from  wells  or  springs. 

Ho^v  to  Treat  Frozen  Plants. — The  disastrous  effects 
which  tender  plants  that  have  become  frozen  are  subject  to  is 
generally  known  to  cultivators;  but  how  or  why  freezing  pro- 
duces the  effect  it  does  upon  plant  life  is  not  so  well  known.  In 
practice  it  is  found,  that  the  length  of  time,  and  the  degree 
of  cold  to  which  plants  are  exjDosed,  affect  them  in  proportion  to 
the  duration  and  intensity  of  these  conditions,  which  points, 
therefore,  to  the  speedy  restoration  of  a  suitable  temperature  as 
the  best  means  of  restoring  plants  that  have  been  unfortunately 
exposed  to  frosts.  But  the  thawing  out  should,  in  all  cases,  be 
gradual,  and  one  of  the  best  things  to  do  wdien  plants  have  be- 
come frozen,  either  in  the  dwelling,  conservatory  or  in  the  open 
air,  is  to  sprinkle  the  foliage  with  cold  cistern  or  well  water,  as 
the  temperature  turns  to  rise.  In  tlie  dwelling  or  conservatory, 
however,  it  will  be  necessary  to  start  the  fire  in  the  stove,  fur- 
nace or  flue  the  first  thing  of  all,  to  give  the  temperature  an  as- 
cendency, but  it  should  for  several  hours  not  be  allowed  to  rise 
above  an  ordinary  suitable  degree.  Some  advocate  shading  the 
plants  from  the  sun  and  light  for  some  length  of  time,  but  the 
j)olicy  of  so  doing  has  never  been  apparent  to  me,  while  I  have 
frequently  had  strong  proofs  to  the  contrary;  that,  the  sun's  rays 
striking  upon  the  plants  with  gradually  increasing  heat,  in  a  great 
measure  aids  their  recovery.  There  is  a  great  difference  in 
plants,  as  regards  their  ability  to  resist  cold,  and  while  some  the 
slightest  frosts  will  injure  beyond  cure,  others  will  bear  various 
degrees,  and  even  alternative  freezing  and  thawing  again  and 
again  with  impunity.  Avoid  handling  plants  in  a  frozen  condi- 
tion as  much  as  possible,  as  the  injury  to  them  will  be  heightened 
should  the  leaves  become  bent  or  be  roughly  brushed  over.  To  re- 
store flowers  that  have  become  frozen,  place  them  in  cold  water 
until  they  have  thawed  out. 

Ferneries  or  Warclian  Cases.  —  Lovers  of  plants  and 
flowers  should  not  overlook  the  advantages  presented  by  these  novel 
and  successful  appliances,  for  growing  plants  in  ^the  dwelling  at 
any  time,  but  particularly  in  the  Winter.  Dryness  of  atmos- 
phere and  dust  are  among  the  detrimental  influences  which  we 
meet  in  Winter  plant  culture,  but  by  adopting  the  Wardian  case 


52 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


principle  of  growing  plants,  these 
are  entirely  avoided,  and,  instead, 
a  uniformly  moist  atmosphere  is 
gained,  which  is  altogether  con- 
genial to  plant  growth,  no  matter 
how  dry  the  air  outside  in  the 
drawing-room  or  j)arlor  may  be. 
A  glass  case  or  shade  is  the  jDrin- 
cipal  agent  employed.  This  is 
placed  over  plants  growing  in  a 
vase  or  stand,  to  which  it  is  fit- 
ted, and  completely  surrounding 
them.  The  glass  retains  the  mois- 
ture of  the  atmosphere,  and  con- 
stantly returns  it  to  the  bed,  thus 
also  making  frequent  watering 
unnecessary.  Usually  plants  with  striking  foliage  are  employed 
in  Fernery  culture,  the  Ferns  and  Lycopodiums  being  especially 
prized  for  the  purpose,  although  all  mentioned  for  this  purpose 
in  the  descriptions,  including  the  flowering  Begonias,  are  quite 
suitable.  After  planting  the  Fernery,  the  only  care  necessary  to 
its  management  is  to  prop  up  the  glass  on  one  side,  or  entirely 
remove  it  for  a  short  time  daily  after  the  morning  dusting,  and  to 
pick  out  all  decaying  flowers  and  foliage.  Water  should  be  given 
only  when  the  surface  of  the  soil  becomes  dry,  which  will  not  be 
often. 


Fig.  23.  Round  Fernery. 


Culture  of  Bulbs  in  Glasses,  etc. — Taking  advantage  of 
the  peculiarity  of  the  Dutch  bulbs  to  grow  and  flower  freely  in  any 
medium  capable  of  retaining  moisture,  M^e  find  it  eas}^  with  a 
little  forethought,  to  have  a  profusion  of  bloom  in  the  house  or 
conservatory  during  the  Winter,  and  the  presence  of  their  brilliant 
colors  among  the  various  pot  plants  is  very  deshable  for  adding 
to  the  attractiveness  of  collections.  Whether  bulbs  are  grown 
in  glasses  of  water  or  in  pots,  vases  or  other  holders,  they  should, 
to  make  a  complete  success  of  the  undertaking,  be  removed  after 
planting,  to  a  cellar,  or  a  cool,  dark  place,  to  remain  six  or  eight 
weeks,  for  the  purpose  of  causing  a  growth  of  roots  before  the 
leaves  and  flower  stems  start  up.  From  here  they  can  be  brought 
directly  into  the  parlor  or  conservatory  where  tliey  are  to  flower. 
The  difference  of  a  week  or  two  between  the  periods  of  starting 


THE   HOME  FLORIST. 


53 


■will  produce  a  corres- 
ponding difference  in 
the  periods  of  bloom. 
When  growing  Hya- 
cinths or  Crocus  in  the 
glasses  made  for  the 
purpose,  see  that  the 
base  of  the  bulb,  only, 
touches  the  water;  also, 
after  admitting  to  the 
light,  the  water  should 
be  changed  occasion- 
ally. In  pot,  box  or 
vase  culture,  bulbs 
should  be  planted  one- 
third  or  one-half  of 
their  heights  in  the  soil 
or  other  material  em- 
ployed, moderately 
pressing  the  same 
around  the  bulb  and 
applying  enough  water 
to  soak  thoroughly  be- 
fore placing  into  the 
dark  as  above  alluded 
to.  Bulbous  plants  of 
any  kind  should  never 
I  e  allowed  to  suffer  for 
Fig.  23.     Square  Fernery,  lack  of  water  while  in 

a  growing  state.  A  very  good  course  to  pursue  in  managing  bulbs 
in  glasses,  is  by  first  starting  them  in  clean  sand  in  some  cool  place, 
and  after  they  have  become  well  rooted,  transferring  them  to  the 
glasses,  first  washing  all  sand  from  the  roots.  Dark  colored  glasses 
are  preferable  to  clear  ones  for  bulb  culture.  Any  attempt  at  forc- 
ing the  hardy  bulbs  will  be  quite  certain  of  being  attended  Avith  suc- 
cessful results.  The  flowers  will  develope  most  beautifully  in  a 
rather  cool  place,  but  where  the  theremometer  never  reaches  a 
freezing  point,  for,  although  a  slight  freeze  will  not  destroy  them, 
it  will  lessen  the  beauty  of  the  flowers. 


54  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

Do  Plants    Poison   the   Air   We    Breathe— There  is 

a  notion  somewhat  prevalent  that  growing  plants  in  rooms  are 
detrimental  to  a  healthy  atmosphere  by  their  giving  out  poison- 
ous carbonic  acid  gas  in  the  night  time.  It  has  been  demonstrated 
that  growing  plants  do  exhale  an  almost  imperceptible  quantity  of 
carbonic  acid  gas,  which,  in  very  small  proportions,  is  necessary 
in  the  air  we  breathe.  But  it  is  also  shown  that  the  quantity  ex- 
haled at  night  is  but  the  one-sixteenth  part  of  what  the  same 
plants  absorb  from  the  atmosiDhere  during  the  day,  and  convert 
into  neari}^  its  own  weight  of  oxygen,  thus  rendering  a  poisonous 
gas,  that  derives  its  origin  from  various  sources,  into  one  of  the 
principal  elements  of  pure  air. 

If  carbonic  acid  gas  is  emitted  from  plants  in  dangerous 
quantities,  it  certainly  would  exist  largely  in  the  night  atmosphere 
of  a  close  greenhouse  heated  to  a  tropical  temperature,  and  crowded 
from  floor  to  rafter  with  the  rank  vegetation  of  thousands  of  plants. 
Yet,  no  florist,  to  myknowdedge,  has  ever  found  the  slighest  ill  ef- 
fects to  attend  night  work  in  greenliouses,  or  even  from  making  the 
warm  houses  sleeping  quarters  of  a  night,  or  for  an  entire  win- 
ter, practical  proofs  that  the  notion  is  a  fallacy.  The  fact  that  per- 
haps no  healthier  class  of  men  can  be  found  anywhere  than  green- 
house operators,  who  work  constantly  in  an  atmosphere  where 
plants  are  growing,  would  go  to  show  that  living  plants  exert 
altogether  a  very  beneficial  influence  upon  the  air  we  breathe. 


THE    HOME    FLORIST 


55 


THE  AMATEUR^S  CONSERVATORY. 


A  well-managed  Plant  Conservatory  opening  from  the  living 
room,  and  accessible  at  all  times,  is  perhaps,  the  most  beautiful 
and  ever-changing  source  of  recreation  that  can  be  introduced 
in  connection  with  the  home,  and  in  consideration  of  the  attrac- 
tive features  it  possesses  is  comparatively  an  inexpensive  source 
of  gratification,  particularly  if  the  duties  connected  with  its 
management  are  discharged  by  the  patrons  of  its  innumerable 
stores  of  interest. 

The  subject  of  conservatories  for  amateurs  in  America  is,  at 


56  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

the  present  time,  comparatively  new  and  undeveloped.  This  is 
especially  true  outside  of  our  large  cities,  and  doubtless  many 
have  given  the  subject  of  possessing  one  some  consideration, 
only  to  finally  drop  it  in  the  belief  that,  however  desirable  one 
might  be,  its  erection  for  a  moderate  amount,  and  the  after 
management  of  it,  would  for  them  be  out  of  the  question. 

It  is  my  desire  to  i^resent  such  facts  and  suggestions  relative  to 
building,  stocking  and  managing  home  conservatories  as  my  ex- 
perience points  out  as  being  applicable  to  the  wants  of  amateur 
florists,  hoping  by  these  means  to  remove  erroneous  impressions, 
and  enable  the  reader  to  view  the  matter  in  a  practical  light. 

Utility  of  a  Couservatory. — With  the  erection  of  a  suit- 
able structure,  cut  flowers  for  bouquets  and  other  uses  can  be 
grown  almost  as  w^ell  in  the  winter  as  in  the  open  ground  in  the 
summer,  thus  affording  a  continuous  season  of  flowers  all  the 
year.  Besides  this,  beautiful  and  rare  decorative  plants  may  be 
grown  to  great  perfection,  and  young  plants  for  the  flower  gar- 
den, hanging  baskets  and  other  purposes  can  be  raised  without 
additional  expense,  while  vegetable  and  flower  seeds  of  all  kinds 
may  be  started.  Th-ese  various  last-named  items,  with  the  grow- 
ing of  flowers,  wdiich  would  otherwise  be  bought  at  the  florist's 
in  winter,  might  be  made  to  go  far  towards  balancing  the  ex- 
pense and  investment  account.  Besides,  in  most  small  towns, 
where  no  regular  florist  is  located,  or  in  the  rural  districts,  the 
home  conservatory,  aside  from  serving  the  purpose  for  which  it 
was  mainly  intended,  might  readily  be  made  self-supporting, 
and  more,  if  those  who  have  the  management  in  hand  would  de- 
sire to  engage  in  growing  a  stock  of  plants  and  some  extra  hang- 
ing baskets,  and  offering  them  for  sale  at  a  reasonable  price. 
They  would  be  surprised  to  see  how  eagerl}^  neighbors  and  friends 
would  purchase  all  their  surplus  in  the  spring,  when  the  plants 
would  be  in  full  flower.  And  were  more  cut  flowers  and  foliage 
grown,  than  would  be  needed  at  home  by  letting  it  be  known,  a 
demand  could  easily  be  created  for  them  at  paying  prices,  to  be 
used  for  decorating  at  weddings,  j)arties,  etc.  I  make  these  sug- 
gestions in  the  belief  that  in  tliousands  of  localities  throughout 
our  country  persons  might  combine  profit  with  pleasure  in  culti- 
vating plants  and  flowers  in  the  conservatory  with  the  most  pleas- 
ing results.  Ladies  and  young  people,  especially,  would  find  this 
a  fascinating  employment  for  spare  moments  and  one  free  from 
heavy  toil. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


57 


Plans  and  Approximate 
Cost.  • — Although  conservatories 
that  are  erected  in  connection  with 
the  home  may  be  built  in  costly 
style,  to  serve  a  highly  ornamental 
purpose  in  an  architectural  sense,  I 
would  by  no  means  have  it  inferred 
that  a  good  one  cannot  be  erected 
for  quite  a  small  sum  of  money.  I 
Fig.  26.  End  View  of  a  Cheap  can  call  to  mind  structures  of  this 
Conservatory.  kind,  on  private  places,   tbat  have 

cost  various  figures,  from  $2,000  or $3,000  each,  down  to  $100  and 
less.  One  very  simple  structure  in  this  city,  which  is  heated  by 
an  ordinary  base-burning  coal  stove,  and  in  which  at  all  times 
can  be  seen  a  fine  growth  of  plants,  hanging  baskets  and  flowers, 
has  pleased  me  so  much  that  I  have  had  an  engraving  made  of 
the  ground  plan  of  it  as  shown  in  figure  27.  The  building  is  ten 
by  twelve  feet,  and  is  seven  feet  to  the  rafters  at  the  lower   end. 


being  a  lean-to  against  a  dwelling, 
two  and  a  half  feet  high,  and  nearly 
two  feet  wide.  On  the  fioor  at  the 
sides  and  ends  of  the  aquarium,  are 
placed  tall  plants,  such  as  the  side 
benches  will  not  accommodate.  In 
case  an  aquarium  were  not  wanted, 
a  plant  bench  might  be  built  up  a. 
foot  or  more  from  the  floor  in  its 
stead.     The  sides  of  the  house  from 


The   beds  or    benches  are 


D 


J 


Fig.  27.     A  Ground  Plan. 

A,  coal  stove;  B,  a  screen   placed 

the  benches  upward  are  of  glass,  and  ^^  ^  ^^'^}^  allowing:  the  heat  to 

^  ^         '  strike  underneath  as   well  as  over 

the  ventilators  are  fixed  in  the    roof,  it;  C,  aquarium  or  plant  bench;  D, 
mi  /?j_  J.  1  ^  j2        plant    bench;    E    water  barrel    o^ 

The  rafters  support  a  number  of  fine  sink;  F,  entrance  from  dwelling. 

growing  hanging  baskets,  and  altogether  the  house  is  quite  com- 
plete, and  cost  the  owner,  perhaps,  inside  of  $60. 

The  large  view  of  a  conservatory.  Fig.  25,  represents  a  house, 
size  sixteen  by  twenty-four  feet,  tlv^,  cost  of  which  would  be  $700 
and  upwards,  if  heated  in  the  most  approved  style,  with  hot  water 
boiler,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  feet  of  four- 
inch  cast  iron  pipe.  The  same  sized  house  miglit,  however,  be  buOt 
in  plain,  durable  style,  similar  to  Fig.  26,  for  about  half  that  fig- 
ure and  be  precisely  as  valuable  for  plant  growing,  while  by  em- 
ploying a  cheaper  means  of  heating,  which  is  much  used  by  flor- 


58 


THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


ists,  namely,  the  brick  furnace  and  flue,  the  cost  might  again  be 
lessened  $150,  wliich  would  bring  the  entire  cost  down  to  $200, 
and  perhaps  even  less,  for  what  would  be  quite  a  large-sized 
house.  By  building  of  smaller  dimensions  the  cost  could  be  again 
reduced.  In  a  house  like  the  one  represented  in  Fig.  25,  the  ven- 
tilators for  admitting  fresh  air  consist  of  the  side  sashes,  of 
the  raised  portion  of  the  roof;  these  are  hung  by  hinges  from 
above,  and  are  w^orked  by  means  of  pulleys  or  rods  from  the  in- 
terior. The  roof  of  Fig.  26  is  built  more  simple,  and  the  ventila- 
tors consist  of  sashes,  which  reach  either  from  the  plate  board  to 
the  ridge  piece,  or  else  a  part  of  this  distance,  starting  from 
the  centre  f  the  house.  These  ventilating  sashes  by  being  hinged 
at  their  lower  ends,  are  raised  and  lowered  by  means  of  a  light 
iron  bar  eighteen  inches  long,  with  holes  in,  attached  to  the  top 
of  the  sash,  and  which  is  caught  on  a  round  nail  in  the  ridge 
piece.  Fig,  28  represents  the  cross  section  of  this  house,  showing 
the  internal  arrangement  of  the  beds  and  walks,  and  also  the 
brick  flues  for  heating,  which  are  under  the  side  beds.  The  walks 
should  be  two  and  a  half  to  three  feet  wide,  and  extend  from  the 
dwelling  entrance  to  the  outside  door  on  each  side  of  the  middle 
bed.  The  cross  section  A  shows  a  bed  in  a  house,  heated  by  two 
four-inch  hot  water  pipes.  The  brick  furnace  or  the  hot  water 
boiler  for  heating  might  in  many  cases  be  placed  to  be  fed  with 
fuel,  from  the  basement  of  the  dwelling. 

In  heating  with  a  hot  water  boiler  and  pipes  the  heat  is  im- 
parted to  the  interior  by  ihe   hot  water  pipes  from  the   boiler 

laying  in  one  continuous  line 
throughout  the  building,  un- 
der the  beds,  and  returning  to 
the  boiler  again.  In  some 
cases  the  smoke  from  the  boiler 
might  be  conducted  to  the 
chimney  of  the  dwelling. 
Through  these  pipes  the  water 
circulates,  continually  flowing 
from  and  returning  to  the 
jrifj^    28.  boiler  for  heat.     With  furnace 

and  flue  heating  it  is  different;  here  the  heat  is  distributed  direct- 
ly from  the  latter,  which  is  built  to  pass  nearly  around  the  house, 
under  the  side  beds,  with  a  gradual  ascent  the  entire  distance,  to 
give  draft,  opening  into  a  cliimney  built  at  the  side  of  the  con- 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  59 

servatoiy  near  the  further  end.  At  the  outside  door  it  will  be 
necessary  to  cover  the  pipes  or  flue  with  a  low  platform  raised  six 
or  more  inches  above  them.  The  sides  and  ends  of  a  conserva- 
tor}^, ujD  to  the  glass,  should  be  built  by  boarding  against  the  studs 
with  matched  flooring,  the  tongue  side  up,  both  in  and  outside; 
by  lining  with  tarred  building  felt  or  boards  against  the  studs, 
the  structure  will  be  rendered  much  warmer.  After  the  wood 
work  is  finished  it  should  receive  several  coats  of  paint,  white  be- 
ing the  color  generally  preferred. 

In  a  recent  number  of  the  Ohio  Farmer,  Mr.  Milton  Mansfield 
gives  some  excellent  points  on  the  construction  of  small  glass 
houses  that  may  be  found  useful  in  this  place.  He  says  that 
small  greenhouses  for  raising  bedding  plants,  as  well  as  vegeta- 
bles, can  be  either  built  with  fixed  or  movable  roofs,  the  latter 
being  the  better,  using  sash  which  can  be  fallen  off  during  sum- 
mer, Avhen  not  required .  If  good  white  oak  posts  can  be  se- 
cured, get  them  six  feet  long,  and  sufiicient  in  number  to  put  into 
the  wall  every  six  feet.  The  house  can  be  made  any  length  up  to 
50  feet,  if  it  be  heated  with  flue.  Let  us  allow  the  house  wanted 
to  be  thirty  feet  long  and  ten  feet  wide,  inside  measurement;  for 
six  feet  long  sash  this  makes  the  best  width.  It  will  require  13 
posts,  6  for  each  side  and  one  for  centre  of  end.  Sink  the  posts 
into  the  ground  2^  feet,  allowing  3^  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 
ground,  allowing  the  posts  to  be  four  inches  in  diameter;  set  them 
lOf  feet  from  outside  to  outside.  Line  up  with  common  pine 
lumber,  having  the  upper  edge  level  with  the  top  of  the  posts. 
Cover  this  with  roofing  paper,  fastening  it  down  with  strips  half 
an  inch  thick,  which  affords  an  air  space  between  the  paper  and 
the  next  lining,  which  may  be  of  same  kinds  of  boards  as  the 
first,  or  may,  if  it  cannot  be  banked  up  with  soil,  either  cove  or 
cap  siding,  but  it  is  the  better  way  if  convenient  for  this  kind  of 
house  to  bank  up  with  soil;  it  keeps  the  house  warmer  and  re- 
quires less  fuel  to  keep  up  the  necessary  temperature.  On  the 
top  of  the  posts  put  on  a  plank  1x6  inches,  surfaced  on  upper  side 
to  rest  the  rafters  on.  Joists  2x3  inches,  having  one  corner  bevel- 
ed off  to  the  same  pitch  of  the  house  for  the  end  of  the  sash  to 
rest  on;  spike  this  down  one  inch  from  the  inner  ecige  of  the  6-inch 
plank,  which  affords  a  rest  for  the  end  of  the  rafters.  The  rafters 
being  also  3x2  inches,  are  made  and  fitted  so  that  the  upper  edge 
of  them,  where  the  sash  rests,  shall  be  flush  with  the  beveled  edge 
of  the  joist;  then  the  sash  lies  close  at  the  bottom  and  tight  to  the 


6o 


THE    HOME    FLORIST. 


Perle  des  Jardins, 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  6l 

rafters.  For  a  ridge,  6x14^  inches  is  the  most  suitable,  to  which 
nail  the  rafters,  which  should  be  3  feet  aj)art  from  centre  to  cen- 
tre. Bevel  the  upper  ends  of  the  sash  so  that  they  shall  fit  neat- 
ly against  the  ridge.  Make  every  alternate  sash  so  that  it  can  be 
raised  to  admit  of  thoroughly  ventilating  the  house.  The  other 
sash  screw  tightly  down  at  the  top  and  bottom. 

The  flue  should  be  built  of  brick  and  terra  cotta  pipes,  using 
brick  for  about  12  feet  next  the  furnace,  as  if  the  pipes  are  placed 
too  near  they  are  liable  to  break  from  the  intense  heat.  They  are 
better,  however,  than  brick  at  the  further  end,  being  easier 
^varmed,  and  being  smooth  inside,  the  draft  is  much  better;  8-inch 
sewer  pipe  answers  very  well.  Sink  the  furnace  pit  so  that  there 
be  a  rise  of  about  ojie  foot  in  i*^   to  the  bottom  of  the  chimney. 

A  house  this  size  (10  feet  wide)  can  have  benches  four  feet  wide 
on  each  side  of  the  path,  which  for  all  practical  jDurposes  is  wide 
enough  at  two  feet.  If  the  house  is  to  be  used  for  raising  vegeta- 
ble plants,  have  the  bottom  of  the  benches  about  4  inches  from 
the  glass  at  the  lower  side;  this  allows  plenty  of  head  room  for  the 
plants  after  about  4  inches  of  soil  is  placed  on  them  in  which  to 
grow  them.  If  for  single  bedding  plants,  they  may  be  kept  nearer 
the  glass,  and  instead  of  soil  on  benches,  have  an  inch  or  two  of 
sand  or  finely  sifted  coal  ashes.  It  is  better  to  have  something  on 
the  boards  of  this  nature,  as  it  prevents  drying  out  of  the  plants 
too  rapidly,  which  is  the  case  when  set  on  the  bare  boards. 

Winter  Manag-eme lit. — The  conservatory  in  winter  should 
be  kept  at  as  uniform  a  temperature  in  the  night  time — that  is  one 
night  with  another — as  possible,  and  at  a  figure  adapted  to  the 
requirements  of  the  majority  of  the  collection.  I  say  night  time 
because  the  inside  atmosphere  is  not  then  affected  by  influence 
of  sun  and  clouds,  which  renders  it  easier  thus  to  give  and  ob- 
serve directions,  besides  in  the  day  time  a  uniform  temperature 
is  undesirable,  as  plants  in  the  conservatory  require  more  heat 
when  it  is  sunny  than  in  cloudy  wheather.  This  is  a  point  that 
should  be  carefully  observed  by  every  inexperienced  operator. 
A  thermometer  is  indispensable  to  indicate  the  temperature. 
Throughout  the  descriptions  of  plants  in  this  book,  the  tempera- 
ture best  suited  to  each  is  indicated  to  guide  their  management  in 
the  conservatory.  In  most  cases  three  figures  indicating  temper- 
ature are  given,  the  first  one  showing  the  lowest  point  of  cold 
each  plant  will  bear,   the  last  tlie  highest  degree,  with  the  most 


62 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Bourbon  Base — Queen  of  Bedders, 

generally  suitable  night  temperature  shown  by  the  middle  figure. 
A  temjDerature  of  10°  or  even  above,  will  suit  any  kind  of  plants 
when  the  sun  shines,  provided  some  air  is  admitted  at  the  same 
time,  while  in  cloudy  days  more  than  lO'^  above  a  suitable  night 
temperature  is  not  desirable  and  should  be  guarded  against  by 
checking  the  fire  if  necessary  or  admitting  air.  When  airing  do 
not  open  the  ventilators  so  much  at  once  as  to  greatly  lower  the 
temperature  suddenly.  A  little  air  at  least  is  desirable  every 
day  in  the  year  when  the  weather  is  not  too  severe,  while  in  warm 
spring,  summer  and  autumn  weather  the  ventilators  may  be  kept 
wholly  or  partially  open  all  the  while.  When  the  surface  of  the 
soil  in  pots  indicates  dryness,  water  should  be  freely  applied  with 


THE  HOME   FLORIST.  63 

the  pot  hose,  as  plants  are  soon  injured  by  becoming  over 
dry.  Looking  over  the  collection  every  second  day  in  winter,  and 
daily  in  spring,  watering  profusely  where  it  is  required,  is  none 
too  often;  in  a  house  heated  with  the  flue,  it  may  be  necessary  to 
water  several  times  daily  over  the  hottest  part  of  the  flue.  Water 
occasionally  syringed  or  sprinkled  over  all  the  plants  renders  the 
air  humid  in  a  way  that  will  be  beneficial  to  all  kinds  of  plant  life. 
The  matter  under  the  head  of  a  Classification  of  the  Amateur's 
Work  for  Every  Week  in  the  Year,  contains  much  other  informa- 
tion that  bears  on  conservatory  management  in  the  winter  a? 
well  as  summer. 

Siiininer  Maiiag-ement.— If  the  glass  roof  be  whitened  on 
the  outside  with  a  thin  wash  made  either  of  quicklime  and 
water,  or  else  of  turpentine  or  naphtha  and  a  little  white  lead 
mixed  up  so  as  to  appear  like  thin  milk,  the  home  conservatory 
can  be  made  a  most  delightful  place  all  summer.  But  if  this  or 
some  kind  of  shading  is  not  done  the  scorching  rays  of  the  sum- 
mer sun  will  cause  heat  of  sufficient  intensity  to  hurt  many 
kinds  of  plant  life  in  the  building;  this  wash  should  be  applied 
about  the  first  of  June.  Then,  with  doors  and  ventilators  open, 
by  dashing  water. on  the  walks,  and  profusely  sprinkling  and 
watering  the  plants,  etc.,  the  atmosphere  maybe  kept  agreeable 
and  hanging  baskets  and  all  kinds  of  plants  will  thrive  amazing- 
ly, particularly  if  abundant  pot  room  has  been  afi'orded  the  lat- 
ter. With  the  return  of  August  and  the  two  following  months, 
the  securing  of  plants  from  the  open  ground  will  require  atten- 
tion, and  fire  heat  may  be  started  a  little  in  cool  nights,  but  dur- 
ing the  day,  as  late  as  possible  in  the  season,  the  ventilators 
should  be  kept  open.  It  is  well  always  to  have  an  inch  of  sand  on 
the  benches  where  pots  are  set. 

Propag-ation  of  all  kinds  of  plants  may  be  successfully  done 
at  most  any  season  of  the  year  in  the  conservatory.  The  bed  in 
which  the  cuttings  are  struck  should  be  boarded  up  on  the  sides, 
underneath,  to  cause  the  heat  from  the  pipes  or  flue  to  rise  up 
through  the  sand,  for  imparting  the  desired  bottom  heat  to  the 
bed.     See  special  article  on  the  subject  of  Propagation. 

Insects,  etc.— Aphis  or  Green-fly  are  very  common  intrud- 
ers in  the  greenhouse ;  these  may  be  destroyed,  and  also  pre- 
vented, by  dampening  ore-fourth  or  one-half  pound  of  dry 
refuse  tobacco  or  stems  from  the  cigar  maker,  and  after  placing 


15  \ 


64 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


it  on  a  handful  of  shavings  or  live  coals,  on  the  ground  or  stone 
floor,  burning  to  ashes.  The  smoke  thus  produced  may  be  strong 
enough  to  be  very  uncomfortable  indeed  to  human  lungs  and 
senses,  without  affecting  plants.  The  presence  of  Red  Spider  in- 
dicates too  dry  an  atmosphere,  and  this  should  be  corrected  by 
dashing  vrater  about  the  house  very  freely.  Any  plants  affected 
b}'  this  insect  should  daily  receive  a  thorough  sprinkling  or  wash- 
ing of  water.  Mealy  Bug  and  Scale  may  be  exterminated  by 
washing  and  brushing  the  affected  part  of  the  plant.  To  remove 
Angle  Worms,  plants  should  be  tapped  out  of  the  pots,  and  the 
worms  picked  from  the  ball  of  earth.  Should  mildew  at  any 
time  put  in  an  appearance,  scatter  a  little  flour  of  sulphur  over 
the  plants  after  the  foliage  is  wet  from  watering  and  keep  the 
nouse  closed  for  a  day  or  two. 


TI-IE    HOME   FLORIST. 


65 


ROSES. 


[I,  the  queen  of  all  the  roses,  it  can  never  be 
cenied, 
Is  the  heavy  crimson  rose  of  velvet  leaf  ! 
There  is  such   a  gracious  royalty  about  her 
vivid  bloom. 
That  among-  all  charming-  kindred  she   is 
chief  ! 

Then  the  fainter  shaded  roses,  in  their  Dalmy 

damask  pride, 

Group  like  satellites  about  one  central  star 

Royal  princesses,  of  whom  we   can   discover 

at  a  glance 

What  aristocrats  the  dainty  creatures  are  ! 

Then   those  tender  gauzy    roses,     clustered 
closely  on  their  vines, 
They  are  gentle  maids  of  honor,  I  am  told; 
But  the  pompous  yellow  roses,  these  are  sneer- 
ed at,  it  is  said. 
For  so  showing  off  the  color  of  their  gold  ! 

And  the  roses  that  are  povverleis  to  boast  of 
any  tint, 
Un.sullied  as  the  snow  itself  in  hue. 
These  are  pious  nuns;  I  fancy,   v/ho   perhaps 
may  murmur  prayers 
Very  softly  upon  rosaries  of  dew  ! 

But  the  delicate  pink  roses  that  one  meets  in 
the  quiet  lanes, 
Gleaming  pale  upon  a  background  of  clear 
green, 
Why,  these  are  only  peasant  girls,  who  never 
goto  court, 
But  are  loyal  little  subjects  of  their  queen  ! 


THE    ROSE    FAMILY. 

As  a  rule  experienced  cultivators  are  ready  to  admit,  I  think, 
that  Roses  are  no  more  difficult  to  rear,  in  proportion  to  their 
value,  than  any  other  family  of  plants  in  cultivation;  and  yet 
there  is  scarcely  a  subject  connected  with  floriculture,  in  which 
amateurs  generally  realize  so  great  a  lack  of  knowledge,  as  on 
the  subject  of  the  different  kinds  of  Roses  and  their  management. 


66 


THE   HOME  FLORIST. 


Hybrid  Perpetual  Rose — Coquette  des  Alps. 


Tliis  can  be  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  the  family  is  extensive 
and  diversified,  and  consequently  not  so  easy  to  fully  compre- 
hend and  gain  an  acquaintance  v^ith  as  some  others  are.  The 
right  way  to  proceed  for  becoming  familiar  with  the  entire  sub- 
ject is  to  carefully  discriminate  at  all  times  between  the  various 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  6/ 

classes  into  which  the  family  is  divided,  bearing  in  mind  the  dis- 
tinct habits,  adaptability  and  treatment  of  each.  By  such  a 
course  there  need  be  no  more  difficulty  in  becoming  familiar  with 
all  the  classes  and  every  branch  of  the  subject,  than  to  master  an 
acquaintance  with  the  same  number  of  different  kinds  of  other 
plants.  In  the  present  work  there  are  for  instance  eight  different 
classes  of  roses  described.  By  proceeding  on  the  plan  suggested, 
the  distinct  characteristics  as  well  as  the  management  of  all  these 
ought  to  be  as  easily  mastered  as  w^ould  be  the  same  with  any 
eight  different  other  flowers  described  in  the  book.  Being  desir- 
ous of  rendering  all  possible  aid  in  this  matter,  I  have  paid  due  at- 
tention to  simplifying  it,  firstly,  by  presenting  the  Hardy  and 
Tender  divisions  of  the  family  separately,  and  then  describing  the 
classes  that  are  included  in  each,  following  up  with  directions  for 
managing  the  different  kinds  in  summer  and  winter. 

HARDY   ROSES. 

This  division  of  Roses  includes  the  classes  known  as  the  Hybrid 
Perpetual  Roses,  June  or  Summer  Roses,  Climbing  Roses,  Moss 
Roses,  etc. ,  all  of  which  are  noted  for  their  hardiness  and  easy 
culture. 

HYBRID  PERPETUAL  ROSES.— This  is  by  far  the  most  de- 
sirable class  of  hardy  Roses  for  general  cultivation,  being  vigor- 
ous and  robust  in  habit  and  producing  flowers,  usually  very  fra- 
grant, and  which  for  immense  size,  perfect  form  and  gorgeous 
colors  are  unequaled.  This  class  is  of  more  recent  introduction 
than  some  others,  having  originated  from  ■  hybridizing  the  June 
or  Summer  Rose  with  the  ever-blooming  section.  Although  the 
name  would  indicate  the  quality  of  blooming  perpetually,  only 
some  varieties  are  strictly  deserving  of  the  name,  for  as  a  rule 
they  flower  freely  but  once  in  early  summer,  after  which  they 
cannot  be  depended  upon  for  more  than  a  few  flowers;  but  as  an 
offset  to  such  mis-application  of  the  term  "perpetual,"  the  flowers 
of  these  more  shy-blooming  varieties  are  likely  to  be  possessed  of 
more  than  ordinary  perfect  form,  fragrance  or  color.  The  more 
prolific  varieties,  however,  not  only  produce  a  wealth  of  flowers 
in  June  and  July,  but  again  at  intervals  during  the  summer, with 
usually  an  increase  toward  autumn.  Although  this  class  is  com- 
paratively hardy  in  this  latitude,  it  is  always  best  to  protect  with 
straw  in  winter.    The  remarks  elsewhere  relative  to  removing 


6s  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


matured  flowers  apply  with  particular  stress  to  Hybrid  Perpetual 
Roses. 

JUNE  OR  SUMMER  ROSES.— The  varieties  of  this  class  are 
all  perfectly  hardy,  free  growers,  producing  an  abundant  crop  of 
flowers  in  June  or  early  summer,  and  will  thrive  in  any  soil  and 
under  almost  any  circumstances.  Specimens  of  this  class  are  to 
be  found  in  nearly  every  old  garden  in  the  country.  Many  of 
the  improved  varieties  are  very  desirable.  The  Hybrid  China, 
Damask  and  Provence  sections  belong  to  this  class. 

HARDY  CLIMBING  ROSES  —This  class,  of  which  the  Prairie 
Roses  are  the  principal  sorts,  are  generally  vigorous  growers  with 
strong  thorns  and  most  admirably  adapted  to  covering  walls, 
trellises,  arbors,  etc.  They  are  well  known  for  their  perfect  hardi- 
ness, rapid  growth,  fine  foliage  and  beautiful  and  finely-shaped 
flowers,  comprising  many  different  colors. 

MOSS  ROSES.— An  elegant  and  well-known  class  of  Roses,  in 
most  varieties  producing  large  clusters  of  buds,  that  have  indi- 
vidually their  calyx  and  sepals  entirely  covered  with  a  delicate, 
mossy  growth  wdiich  renders  them  the  perfection  of  beauty  while 
in  a  bud  or  half  open  state. 

HYBRID     REMONTANT,    OR     HYBRID    PER- 
PETUAL   ROSES. 

If  delicacy  describes  the  Teas,  grandeur  is  the  appellation  pecu- 
liarly appropriate  to  the  beauty  of  the  Hybrid  Perpetuals.  Their 
flowers  are  much  larger  than  those  of  the  tender  Roses  and  the 
prevailing  coloring  is  darker  and  richer  than  any  found  among 
the  Teas.  In  growth  they  are  also  decidedly  stronger  and  more 
vigorous.  Their  habit  is  erect  and  stiff  rather  than  bushy  and 
branching,  and  they  are  perfectly  hardy  in  all  parts  of  the  coun- 
try. Although  requiring  no  protection  against  the  cold,  it  is 
well  where  in  every  way  convenient,  to  throw  loose  branches  of 
trees  over  them  in  winter  as  a  shelter  froin  heavy  winds.  There 
appears  to  be  an  idea  somewhat  prevalent  among  amateurs,  that 
these  roses  are  only  suitable  for  planting  at  the  north,  or  that 
they  are  not  worthy  of  being  grown,  where  the  Teas  can  be  win- 
tered over  without  protection.  The  notion  is  wholly  erroneous. 
Their  attractions  are  entirely  different,  and  a  collection  that  lacks 
them,  exhibits  but  half  the  beauty  of  the  rose.     It  should  be 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  69 

well  understood  that  these  roses  do  not  as  a  rule,  bloom  continu- 
ously. In  May  and  June  they  present  a  magnificent  appearance, 
the  plants  being  fairly  loaded  with  large,  double  flowers;  a  burst 
of  bloom  seldom  seen  on  any  of  the  dwarf  Teas.  July,  how- 
ever, witnesses  the  last  of  them  until  September  and  October, 
when  most  of  the  varieties,  under  good  treatment,  produce  a 
second  crop,  not  nearly  so  liberal  as  the  first  one,  but  often  in- 
cluding individual  fiowers  of  greater  perfection.  Some  kinds 
bloom  almost  as  constantly  as  the  Teas  and  Bourbons,  but  they 
are  few. 

Abbe  Bramerel — Crimson,  shaded  with  velvety   purple;  a  grand 

rose,  full  and  very  double. 
Abel  Car riere— Velvety  crimson,    with  fiery   centre;    large,    full 

flowers;  fragrant, 
AcJiille  Gonod — Rosy  carmine,  full  form  and  large  size.  . 
Admiral  Nelson — Bright  crimson,  double,  cupped  form. 
Alfred  Colomb — Carmine   crimson,  very  large,    of   fine  globular 

form,  extremely  fragrant.     This  is  truly  a  magnificent  sort. 
Alfred  K.  Williams — Carmine  red,  changing  to  magenta. 
Alphonse  Fontaine -'Briglit   carmine,    shaded   with  rich,    ruby 

scarlet;  a  charming  sort,  large  and  full. 
Amelie  Hoste — Pink,   reverse  of  petals;  darker,    large  and  full, 

fragrant  and  beautiful. 
Amelie  Plantier — Flowers  are  a  coppery  yellow,   color  changing 

to  yellowish  white;  medium  size  and  full  form. 
Anna  ^Ze^ie^- Bright  rose,  large  and  double;  free  flowering. 
Anna  de  Diesbach — Bright  rosy  carmine;    a  fine  large,    showy 

variety. 
Antoine  Ilouton — Bright,  glossy  pink,  reverse   of   petals,   silvery 

white;  flowers  of  extraordinary  size. 
Auguste  Mie — Clear,  waxy  rose,  large  and  finely   cupped;   very 

fragrant;  an  excellent  rose. 
Baron  de  Bonstetten — Velvety  maroon,  shaded  with  deep  crim- 
son, almost  black,  fragrant  and  fine. 
Baroness  Rothschild — Light,  clear  pink,  large  cupped  form,  very 

symmetrical;  much  prized  as  a  garden  rose. 
Baronne  de  Maynard — A  very  pretty  white  rose,   edge  of  petals 

shaded  blush. 
Baronne  Prevost — Pure  rose,  very  large  and  full,  free   bloomer, 

fragrant  and  hardy. 


^O  THE   HOMK   FLORIST. 


Beauty  of  Waltham— Bright,  rosy  crimson,  large  and  fragrant;  a 

free  bloomer. 
Belle  Normande — Clear  rose,  shaded  and   clouded   with  carmine 

and  lilac. 
Boieldieu—A  bright  cherry  red,    circular  flower  of    great   size; 

blooms  freely;  vigorous. 
Boide  de  Neige — Pure  white,  medium-sized  flowers  of  perfect  form. 
Captain  Christy — Delicate  flesh  color,  deepening  toward   centre. 

A  most  lovely  sort. 
Cardinal  Patrizzi — Dark  velvety  crimson,  very  attractive;  a  su- 
perb rose. 
Caroline  de  Sansal — Clear,  brilliant  rose,  merging  into  rosy  lilac, 

edged  with  bronze , 
Catherine  i^eZZ— Deep  rose  color,  reverse  of  petals,  silvery  pink, 

full  and  sweet;  a  vigorous  grower. 
Charles  Darwin — Crimson   with  violet  shadings,   very  beautiful 

and  distinct. 
Charles  Lefebvre — Brilliant  crimson   centre,    deep    purple,  large, 

very  full  and  fragrant;  a  noble  rose. 
Charles  Margotten — Fiery  red,  shaded   with   crimson,  large,  full 

flowers;  an  excellent  distinct  rose. 
Climbing  Jules  Margotten  -Flowers  same  as    "Jules  Margotten," 

highly  commended  as  a  useful  pillar  rose. 
Comtesse  Cecile  de  ChabrilUant — Satiny  pink,  medium  size,    full 

and  fragrant;  a  lovely  rose. 
Comtesse  de  Choiseuil— Color  vermilion,    lighted  Avith    velvety 

scarlet,  large,  full,  imbricated  form;  vigorous  grower;  su- 
perb. 
Comtesse  de  Serenye — Beautiful  silvery  pink,  blush   centre,    sweet 

and  X3erfectly  formed,  of  great  beaut}'. 
Coquette  des  Alps  -  Shell  tinted  white,  of  delicate  appearance  and 

beautiful  color. 
Coquette  des  Blanches— One  of  the  finest  whites,   large  and  full; 

fragrant. 
Countess  of  Oxford— Carmine  red,  tinged  with   lilac ;  a  valuable 

variety. 
Crown  Prince — Bright  purple,  criuison  centre;  a  fine  variety. 
Dean  of  Windsor — Clear  rich   vermilion,  flowers  large  and  very 

attractive;  free  and  constant. 
Dr,   Andry — Rich,   rosy  crimson,    large    flowers,     fine,   smooth 

petals;  superb, 


THE   HOME    FLORIST.  /I 

Doctor  Hogg — Deep  violet,  evenly  shaded  with  purple. 

Doctor  Seivell — Bright  crimson,  tinged  with  purple;  large  and  full. 

Duke  of  Edinburgh — Rich,    velvety  crimson,   large,  full  and  of 

good  symmetrical  form. 
Duke  of  TecA;— Bright  crimson  scarlet,   clear   and   distinct   in  its 

vividness  of  color;    flowers  large   and  very  full;  pointed, 

globular  shape. 
Duke  of  Wellington — Beautiful  velvety  red,  shaded  scarlet  crim- 
son; very  fine. 
Earl  of  Beaconsfield — Cherry  rose,  medium  size,  beautiful  form. 
Earl  of  Pembroke — Velvety  crimson;  a  most  beautiful  rose. 
Elise  Boelle — White,  delicately  tinged  with  pink;  medium  size;  a 

lovely  rose. 
Empress  of  India — Dark  violet   crimson,   velvety,    globular  and 

fragrant;  an  imj)erial  rose. 
Eugenie  Verdier — Silvery  pink,   tinged  with  fawn;   one   of    the 

best  of  the  type. 
Fanny  Pitsold — Bright  rosy  flesh,  shaded  and  edged  with  violet. 
Felicien  David — Deep  rose,  tinged  with  purple;  full  and   sweet; 

very  large. 
Felix  Genero — Beautiful  lilac  rose,  large  globular  flowers,  double 

and  deliciously  fragrant. 
Ferdinand  de  Lesseps — Bright  crimson,  large  and  full;  very  free 

Qo wiring;  a  lovely  rose. 
Fisher  Holmes — Dark,  rich   scarlet,  elegantly   shaded  with  deep 

velvety  crimson;  brilliant  and  beautiful. 
Fontenelle —'Large  flowers  of  a  rich,  dark  velvety  crimson;  a  good 

rose. 
Francois  Levet— Soft  pink,  delicately  shaded  carmine  and  blush; 

delightfully  fragrant. 
Francois  Michelon — Deep  rose  tinged  with  lilac,  very   large,  full 

of  fine  globular  form ;  fragrant  and  free  blooming. 
Gabriel  Tournier — Dark  rose,  large,    full  and   fine   shape;  a  free 

bloomer. 
General  Washington — Brilliant,    dazzling  crimson,    approaching 

vermilion;  free   and   constant   bloomer;  flowers   are  large 

and  perfectly  double. 
Georgre -Mbrea It— Bright  red,  shaded  with  vermilion;  very  large; 

full,  opening  well. 
Giant  of  Battles — Deep,  fiery  crimson,   very  brilliant  and  rich 

medium  size,  full,  well  formed,  handsome. 


72 


THE   HOME   FLORIST 


General  Jacqueminot. 

General  Jacqueminot — Brilliant  crimson  scarlet,  very  large  and 
attractive;  an  abundant  bloomer;  one  of  the  best  of  the 
class. 

Gloire  de  Ducher— Flowers  very  double,  beautiful  brilliant  scar, 
let,  deepening  to  dark  maroon;  fragrant,  handsome  and 
desirable . 

Gloire  de  Paris — See  '^Anna  de  Dieshach .''' 

Glory  of  Cheshunt — Rich  crimson,  double,  very  effective;  a  de- 
cided acquisition. 

Grand  Duke  Nicholas— A  magnificent  rose,  color  dazzling  crim- 
son, brightly  flamed  with  intense  scarlet,  exceedingly  fra- 
grant, double  and  of  perfect  form. 

Gustave  Thierry— Cherry  red,  large,  full  and  very  double;  very 
fragrant;  a  good  variety. 

Harrison  Weir — Deep  velvety  crimson,  brightened  with  brilliant 
scarlet;  very  double  and  fragrant. 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  73 

Heinrich  Schultheis — A  grand   new  rose,    flowers  very   large,   of 

good  form,  full  and  very  sweet,  color  very  delicate,  pinkish 

rose ;  a  grand  show  rose. 
Helen  Paul — White,  sometimes  shaded  with  pink,  large  globular 

flowers,  full  and  sweet. 
Hippolyte    Jamain — Bright   rosy   carmine;  a  handsome  flower. 

large,  double  and  globular. 
Horace  Fer?ie^- Crimson,  illumined  with   scarlet,  large,  double 

and  beautiful.     Few  roses  have  such  lovely  form. 
Jacques  Lafitte    Carmine  rose,  edged  silver  rose,  reverse  of  petals, 

light. 
Jean  Liabaucl  -  Crimson  maroon,  illuminated  with  scarlet,   very 

dark,  rich  and  fragrant;  a  lovely  rose. 
Jean  Souper^t—Fierj  crimson,  shaded  with  black;  a  richly-colored 

sort. 
John  -Brig/if"  Color  a  pure  glowing  crimson,  very  bright,  perfect 

form,  with  large  even  outer  petals,  sometimes  recurved. 
John  Hopper — Deep  rose,  with   carmine   centre,    large  and  full, 

semi-globular;  a  free-blooming  standard  sort. 
Jules  Cretien — Flowers  large  and    finely -formed,  color  brilliant, 

fiery  red,  shaded  with  light  purple. 
Jules  Margottin — Brilliant  carmine,  somewhat  imbricated ;  a  very 

fine  rose,  being  large  and   attractive,    fragrant  and  a  free 

bloomer. 
Julius  Ccesar    Dark  cherry  red;  a  free   and  constant  bloomer; 

large,  full  and  fragrant. 
La  Reine — Beautiful,  clear  bright  rose,  fine,  full  form,  large  and 

fragrant;  a  favorite  old  variety. 
LaRosiere — Very  deep,  velvety  crimson,  large   and  full;  a  good 

rose  of  splendid  color. 
Lady  Emily  Peel — A  charming  rose,  medium  size  and  full  form, 

very  sweet,  color  white,  sometimes  tinged  with  blush. 
L'Enfant  du  Mont  Carmel — Deep  crimsoU;  purple  shading,  free 

and  constant;  very  fragrant. 
Leopold  Premier — Deep  red,  shaded   crimson;  a   fine  large  rose, 

very  full  and  sweet. 
L'Esperance — Cherry  red,  large,  full  flat   form,  fragrant;  a  good 

rose. 
Lord    Macaidey — Fiery    crimson,    large,      double,     well-formed 

flowers;  fragrant;  a  good  rose. 


74  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

Lord  Palmerston — Carmine  red,    tinged  with  vermilion;  double, 

well  formed ;  a  good  variety  for  the  garden. 
Lord  Raglan — A  lovely  shade  of  crimson;  full  and  well  formed; 

an  old  sort  much  esteemed. 
Louis  Dore — Strong,  vigorous  growth;  flowers  well  formed  and 

produced  freely;  color  bright  cerise  red,  shaded  purple. 
Louis  XIV. — Rich  crimson,  double  and  full,  large  and  fragrant;  a 

beautiful  shade. 
Louis  Van  Hoidte — Crimson  maroon;  full,    globular  form;  free 

blooming;  a  decidedly  fine  crimson  variety. 
Ludoric  Letaidd-  A  fine   large  rose  of    vigorous  growth,    color 

beautiful  pale  rose;  very  double  and  fragrant. 
Mabel  Morrison  -Flesh  white,  changing  to  pure  white,  sometimes 

tinged  with  pink;  a  useful  garden  sort. 
Madame  Alfred  Carriere — Flesh  white,  shaded  with  salmon  yel- 
low at  base  of  petals,  of  climbing  habit;  good  size  and  very 

sweet. 
Madaine  Alfred  de  Bougemont — Pure  w^hite,    delicately  shaded 

and  tinged  with  rose;  double,   good   size,    very  sweet  and 

pretty. 
Madame  Alice  Dureaii — Fine   bright  rose,    clear  and  glossy;  a 

handsome  globular  flow^er,  large  and  double. 
Madame  Charles  Wood — Brilliant  crimson,  shaded   with  purple; 

large  and  double;  a  free  bloomer;  very  fragr  mt;  profuse. 
Madame  Eugene  Verdier — Satiny  rose;  very  large,  full,    globular; 

a  most  beautiful  variety. 
Madame  Francois  Pettit — Pure  white,     very   full  and   double; 

fiowers  jproduced  in  clusters;  a  good  white  rose. 
Madame   Gabriel  Luizet — A  beautiful  shade  of  pink;  fragrant, 

large,  cupped  shape;  an  elegant  sort. 
Madame  Gustave  Bonnet — Pure  white,  sometimes  slightly  tinged 

with  rose;  medium  size,  very  double  and  full. 
Madame  La ffay —Rose  color,  large,  double,  cupped   form;  an  old 

and  much  esteemed  rose. 
Madame  Louis  Caricques — Rosy  crimson,    double,  full   and  fra- 
grant; very  fine;  a  good  rose. 
Madame  Louis  Leveque — Carmine  rose,  large,  very  full,  flat  form 

and  fragrant;  good  in  the  fall. 
Madam  Masson — Velvety  crimson ;  very  bright   and  full ;  a  fine 

sort  for  bedding. 


THE    HOME   FLORIST.  75 

Madame  Noman — White,  sometimes  shaded  centre,  medium,  size, 
full,  globular;  arose  of  exquisite  beauty. 

Madame  Oswald  deKercliove — White,  tinged  with  fawn:  full,  with 
imbricated  form;  a  lovely  sort. 

Madame  T/ieyeuoif— Beautiful,  bright  violet  red,  very  showy  and 
handsome,  flowers  large,  finely  formed,  double  and   sweet. 

Madame  Trotter — A  strong,  vigorous  grower;  very  hardy;  flowers 
bright  brilliant  red,  full  and  sweet. 

Madame  Victor  Verdier — Rich,  bright  cherry  red,  changing  to 
satin  rose;  large,  full  and  fragrant;  a  superb  rose. 

Mademoiselle  Marie  Rady — Vermilion  red,  shaded  with  crimson ; 
large,  very  full,  of  splendid  globular  form;  very  fragrant; 
altogether  a  most  valuable  sort. 

Magna  Cliarta — Bright,  clear  pink,  suffused  with  carmine;  very 
large,  full  and  globular  form ;  a  fragrant,  excellent  variety. 

Marechal  Vaillant — Crimson,  large,  full,  well  formed  and  fra- 
grant; a  fine  rose. 

Marguerite  de  St.  Amand —Bright  rose,  very  beautiful  in  the  bud 
state;  flowers  produced  in  great  profusion;  excellent. 

Marie  Baumann — Crimson  vermilion,  shaded  carmine,  large, 
full,  of  exquisite  color  and  form ;  very  fragrant;  a  charm- 
ing sort. 

Jlfarg?us  cZe  PoceZZa— Creamy  white  and  flesh  color;  centre  rosy 
blush;  double  and  fragrant;  a  free  bloomer. 

Marquis  de  Castellane — Carmine  rose,  a  bright  and  permanent 
shade;  very  large,  very  full  and  effective;  a  valuable   sort. 

Marquis  of  Salisbury— Co\)pery  rose,  shaded  w4th  crimson;  large, 
globular  form ;  distinct. 

Marshall  P.  Wilder — Vigorous  growth,  with  healthy  foliage; 
flowers  large,  semi-globular,  full  and  well  formed,  color 
cherry  carmine,  fragrant,  one  of  the  most  constant  bloom- 
ers of  the  class;  beyond  question  a  rose  of  great  merit. 

Maurice  Bernardin — Bright  crimson;  large,  full  and  fragrant;  a 
very  prolific  sort;  one  that  is  growing  in  favor. 

May  Quennell—'Brilliiint  mageuta  carmine,  shaded  with  crimson; 
large,  full,  globular  form;  a  handsome  rose. 

Merveille  de  Lyon — Flowers  very  large,  full,  well  formed,  pure 
white  centre,  satiny  rose;  a  magnificent  new  rose. 

Monsieur  Eugene  Delaire — Velvety  crimson,  lighted  with  fiery 
red;  large,  full,  extra. 


76 


THE  HOME   FLORIST. 


gJ'V,'-^"'''     ' 


^ 


Marshall  P.  Wilder. 
Monsieur  E  Y.  Teas — Carmine  crimson;  large,  fine,  globular  form, 

highly  scented;  a  superb  rose. 
Mi'S.  Harry  Turner — Dazzling  crimson  scarlet,  with  rich  maroon 

shading;  very  brilliant;  large  and  full;  beautifully  imbri- 
cated. 
Mrs.  Laxton — Bright,  rosy  crimson  of  the  most  perfect   globular 

form ;  very  fine. 
Olga  Maria — Pure  white,    delicately  shaded   with   amber  and 

blush;  large,  full  flowers,  very   double   and  sweet;  a  free 

bloomer. 
Oxonian — Rosy  carmine  flowers,  very  large,  cupped,  very  sweet; 

a  free  autumn  bloomer. 


THE  HOME  FLORIST.  77 


Posonia — One  of  the  finest  old  roses,  very  large,  full,  fragrant;  a 
free  bloomer;  color  clear  bright  red;  a  good  garden  variety. 

Paul  Jamain— Velvety  crimson,  sliglitly  tinged  with  violet  red; 
large,  full  and  double ;  a  grand  rose. 

Paul  Neyron—'Deep  rose;  very  large,  very  full,  somewhat  fra- 
grant; free  bloomer;  the  largest  variety  known,  and  a  very 
desirable  sort  for  the  garden. 

Paul  Ricaut — Bright  rosy  carmine,  darker  towards  the  centre; 
sweetly  fragrant  and  cup-shaped;  a  free  bloomer. 

Peach  Blossom — Mottled  pink,  shaded  with  a  beautiful  tinge  of 
delicate  peach;  an  elegant  color;  large  and  full. 

Penelope  iHf a?/o— Brilliant  carmine  red,  large,  well-shaped  flowers 
of  great  substance. 

Pierre  Notting — Deep  crimson,  tinged  with  violet;  large,  fine 
globular  form,  highly  scented;  a  most  beautiful  dark  rose 

Pius  the  Ninth — Purplish  red,  changing  to  violet  rose;  flat  form; 
very  full,  free  flowering  and  very  hardy. 

President  Lincoln  —Scarlet  and  crimson,  shaded  with  purplish 
vermilion;  very  full,  fine  form;  beautiful  and  fragrant. 

President  T/wers -Flaming  red,  large-sized  flowers,  full  and 
globular  in  shape;  one  of  the  darkest  colored  in  the  type. 

President  Willermoz — Bright  rose,  shaded  lighter;  large  and  dou- 
ble, fragrant;  very  beautiful. 

Prince  Albert —Dsiv^  red,  very  fine  form,  good  bloomer;  a  much- 
esteemed  sort. 

Prince  Camille  de  Rohan — Rich,  dark  velvety  crimson;  large  and 
fine;  a  good  rose  of  sj)lendid  color. 

Prince  de  Portia — Velvety  vermillion;  large,  fulL  well  formed; 
one  of  the  most  fragrant;  a  splendid  varirty. 

Prince  Humbert — Brilliant,  fiery  crimson;  full,  large,  well-form- 
ed; excellent. 

Prince  of  Wales — Satiny  pink;  a  delicate  and  lovely  shade;  very 
large  and  double. 

Prince  Paid  Demidoff— Satiny  rose;  very  full,  fine  form,  and  very 
sweet;  a  good  garden  rose. 

Prince  Antoinette  Sti^ozzio— Flowers  large,  full  and  very  double; 
delightful  perfume ;  soft,  rosy  pink,  shaded  crimson. 

Princess  Louise  Victoria— Salmon  pink,  medium  size,  fine  globu- 
lar form;  a  splendid  rose. 

Princess  Mathilde— Burgundy  crimson;  a  lovely  shade,  medium 
size,  double;  valuable. 


'j'^  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

Queen  of  Queens — Pink  edges,  elegantly  tinged  with  blush;  large 

and  full,  and  of  perfect  form;  grows  and  flowers  freely. 
R.  Dudley  Baxter — Flowers  deep  maroon  crimson;  very  rich  in 

color,  extra  large,  full  and  cupped,  free  and  hardy. 
Red  Dragon — Brilliant  crimson,  very  bright  and  striking;  large, 

double  and  finely  cupped  flowers. 
Rev.  J.  B.  M.  Camm — Carmine  rose,   large,    semi-globular  form; 

one  of  the  most  fragrant  and  free  blooming  roses;  a  superb 

sort. 
Rosy  Morn — Peach  pink,  shaded  darker;  flne  large  flower  of  good 

form  and  finish;  very  s\veet  and  full. 
Royal  Standard— ^oXinj  voiiQ,   tinged  with   lilac;  a  large,   well- 
formed,  globular  flower. 
Senateur    Fa/sse— Crimson  carmine;    elegant,    large  form;  free 

bloomer,  highly  scented. 
Sir  Garnet  Wolseley — Vermilion,  shaded  crimson;  large  and  full; 

a  splendid  sort. 
Souvenir  de   Charles  Montauld — Dark,    rich,    crimson  maroon; 

velvety;  a  bold  and  striking  flower;  full  and  good. 
Souvenir  de  la  Reine  d'Angleterre — Bright  rose;  very   large  and 

double;  a  much  admired  variety. 
>S^.  Reynolds  Hole — Maroon,  flushed  with  scarlet  crimson;  medium 

size,  full  and  well  formed;  a  rose  of  great  beauty. 
Star  of  Waltham  —  Csn'imine  cvimson,   medium  size,    semi-globu- 
lar; full  and  fragrant;  a  good  rose. 
Sultan  of  Zanzibar — Blackish  maroon,  edged   with   scarlet;  full 

and  well-formed;  medium  size. 
Sydonie — A  charming  old   variety,  much  esteemed,    rose   color; 

very  large  and  full;  a  constant  bloomer. 
Thomas  Methven — Red,  tinged  with  velvety  crimson;  good  size, 

well  formed;  a  fine  rose. 
Thomas  Mills — Rosy   crimson,    very  large  and   double;  a   good 

variety  for  the  garden. 
Trioniphe  de    V Exjjosition -'Reddish  crimson;  very  bright   and 

beautifully  shaded. 
Triomphe  des  Beaux  Arts — Metallic  rose,  flamed   with  scarlet; 

large,  very  fragrant  and  full;  splendid. 
Victor  Trouillard — Bright  crimson,  shading  to  purple;  large,  full 

and  fragrant;  a  good  old  sort. 
Victor  Verdier — Bright  rose  with  crimson  centre:  globular  form, 

good  size;  a  most  beautiful  rose. 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  79 


Vulcain — Rich  crimson,  double,  well-formed;  a  rose  of  splendid 
color. 

White  Baroness — Pure  white ;  large  cupped  form,  very  symmet- 
rical; except  in  color  identical  with   Baroness  Eothschild. 

Xavier  Olibo-— Flowers  large  and  double,  of  excellent  form,  color 
velvety  black,  shaded  with  fiery  red ;  a  superb  rose. 

PRAIRIE  ROSES— HARDY  CLIMBING. 

These  are  the  only  climbing  roses  that  are  perfectly  hardy 
everywhere,  and  are  consequently  of  the  greatest  value.  They 
can  be  readily  trained  to  the  height  of  twenty  or  thirty  feet,  as 
they  grow  with  great  vigor.  They  bloom  only  in  June  and  July, 
but  are  then  objects  of  the  greatest  beauty.  We  have  seen  Balti- 
more Belle  growing  all  over  the  side  of  a  house,  where  its  thou- 
sands of  blooms  formed  a  complete  mass  of  white.  At  least  one 
of  these  hardy  climbers  should  be  found  in  every  rose  garden 
north  of  Tennessee.  The  flowers  are  produced  in  large  clusters. 
When  it  is  desired  to  cover  walls,  unsightly  buildings,  etc.,  with 
Eoses,  none  will  be  found  to  do  the  work  so  efficiently  as  varieties 
of  the  Prairie  Rose. 

Baltimore  Belle— Fale  blush;  variegated  carmine,  rose  and  white; 
very  double;  flowers  in  beautiful  clusters,  the  whole  plant 
appearing. a  perfect  mass  of  bloom;  one  of  the  very  best  of 
the  type. 

Bennefs  Seedling— An  Ayrshire  or  Scotch  rose  and  a  vigorous 
runner;  flowers  are  white,  very  double  and  fragrant  and 
borne  m  great  profusion. 

Caroline  Goodrich — This  new  hardy-climbing  rose  has  finely- 
formed  flowers;  very  double,  and  its  fragrance  is  most  de- 
licious. The  color  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  well-known 
General  Jacqueminot.  It  makes  a  growth  of  from  twelve 
to  fifteen  feet  in  a  season;  flowers  freely  till  fall;  constant; 
also  known  as  "Running  General  Jacqueminot.'' 

Champney — A  hardy  rose,  quite  double  and  very  fragrant;  flowers 
deep  rose,  changing  to  pale  rose;  desirable. 

Dundee  Rambler —Scotch,  rose;  growth  is  slender  and  rapid; 
flowers  small,  semi-double. 

Ge7n  of  the  Prairie— hight  shade  of  crimson,  large,  perfectly 
beautiful  form;  the  flowers  are  borne  on  trusses,  number- 
ing from  ten  to  twenty  buds  on  each. 


80  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Greville  or  Seven  Sisters — Flowers  in  large  clusters;  varies  in 

color  from  white  to  crimsono 
Mrs.  Gunnell — Soft,  rosy  blush,   becoming  almost  white;  large 

clusters;  full  and  double;  much  admired. 
Mrs.    iJove?/ —  Blush,    changing  to  white;    resembles    Baltimore 

Belle,  but  is  hardier;  a  valuable  climbing  rose. 
Prairie   Queen — Flowers  very  large    and  of  peculiar    globular 

form;  bright,  rosy  red,   changing  to  lighter  as  the  flower 

opens. 
Pride  of  Washington — Brilliant  amaranth,  shaded  rose  centre; 

large  clusters;  very  double  and  fine. 
RusseWs  Cottage — Dark  velvety  crimson ;  very  double   and   full; 

a  profuse  bloomer,  strong  grower;  desirable. 
Tennessee  Belle — Flowers  bright,  beautiful  pink;  is  more  slender 

and  graceful  in  growth  than  either  of  the  other  varieties. 
Triumphant — An  excellent  variety;   flowers  large,   very  double 

and  compact;  color  deep  rose,  changing  to  pale   carmine; 

beautiful,  shaded  and  variegated. 

MOSS  ROSES. 

The  beautiful  mossed  buds  of  these  Roses  have  placed  them 
higher  in  the  popular  estimation  than  any  other  rose,  or  indeed 
than  any  other  flowers,  and  they  have  furnished  a  theme  for  so 
many  poets  that  they  are  familiar  to  everybody.  The  bushes  are 
not  very  prepossessing  in  appearance,  forming  large,  rugged 
masses,  and  set  with  irnumerable  small  thorns;  most  of  them 
bloom  only  in  the  spring,  but  sometimes  j)roduce  a  few  flowers  in 
the  fall.  They  are  as  hardy  as  an  oak;  no  garden  is  complete 
without  some  of  these  charming  roses. 

Alice  Leroy — Fine,  clear  pink;  extra  large  flowers;  fragrant. 
Aphelis  Purpurea — Violet  purple;  large,  fine  form,  well  covered 

with  moss. 
Blanche  Moreau — Flowers  are  produced  in  clusters;  large,   full 

and  sweet;  color  pure  white.     The  buds  have  an  abundance 

of  lovely  deej)  green  moss. 
Captain  John  Ingraham — Brilliant  carmine;  large,  full  flowers, 

very  double  and  mossy. 
Common  Moss— The  finest  of  all  the  moss  roses;  color  pale  rose; 

very  beautiful  in  the  bud;  a  grand  rose  for  the  garden. 
Comtesse  de  Murinais — Flowers  white,  sometimes  tinged  with 

flesh  color;  large,  double,  cupped;  one  of  the  best  moss  roses. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


8l 


Mosfi  Rose. 


Crested  3foss — Deep,  pink-colored  buds  surrounded  with  a  mossy 
fringe  and  crest;  a  fragrant  and  very  beautiful  rose. 

De  Luxemhoin^g — Bright  crimson  scarlet;  large  and  double;  very 
sweet  and  mossy. 

Elizabeth  Roice — Bright,  satiny  pink;  very  large  and  double:  fra- 
grant and  finely  mossed. 

Etna— Crim^ow,  tinged  with  purple;  delightfully  fragrant:  very 
mossy. 

Glory  of  Moss — A  magnificent  moss  ross;  very  large  and  double; 
color  deep  rosy  oarmine;  very  mossy  and  fragrant;  one  of 
the  best  of  the  type. 

Gracilis — Deep  pink  buds,  surrounded  with  delicate  fringe-like 
moss;  a  magnificent  and  elegant  sort;  very  prolific. 

Henry  Martin — Rich,  glossy  pink,  elegantly  tinged  with  crim- 
son; large,  globular  flowers,  very  full  and  sweet:  finely 
mossed. 

Hortense  Vernet — Fine,  rosy  carmine;  large,  full  and  sweet:  buds 
beautifully  mossed. 


82  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

Laneii — Large,  bold  flowers,  very  double;  full  and  fragrant;  color 

rich   crimson,    delicately    shaded  with  rosy   purple;    very 

mossy. 
Little  Gem — A  miniature  sort;  color  bright  crimson;    very  small 

and  full;  desirable. 
Madame  Moreau  -  Flowers  extra  large,  perfectly  full  and  double: 

color  rich  carmine  with  crimson  centre;  petals  beautifully 

edged  with  white;  buds  are  finely  mossed. 
Perpetual    Wliite  J/oss— Buds  very  mossy,   color    pure  white, 

medium  size  and  borne  in  large  clusters;  fragrant. 
Princess  Adelaide — One  of  the  best,    extra  large  flowers,   very 

double  and  fragrant;  very  mossy;  color  bright,  rosy  pink. 
Purpurea  Rubra — Violet  purple;  large,    full  form;  very   double 

and  fragrant;  buds  beautifully  mossed. 
RajDhael—Beantitul  mossy    buds;    color  pinkish  white,  shaded 

with  rose;  large,  full  and  sweet, 
Soupert  et  A^otting—'Rose  color,  very  large,  very   full,  globular 

form,  highly  scented,  nicely  covered  with  beautiful  moss; 

a  charming  sort. 
White  Bath — Pure  white,  in  clusters;  attractive  in  bud  and  open 

flower;  free  blooming  and  very  mossy. 

SUMMER    AND    MISCELLANEOUS    ROSES. 

BLOOMING  IN  JUNE  AND  JULY, 

In  this  class  we  place  all  the  varieties  of  Summer  Roses  and 
other  roses  that  are  not  described  in  our  classifications.  The  list 
embraces  many  that  are  valuable  and  highly  esteemed,  especially 
the  old  garden  varieties. 

Beauty  of  Glazenicood  (FiYergreen — See  "  Fortune's  Double  Yel- 
low." 
Blanche fleiir.  (June) — White,  tinged  w^ith   blush;  medium   size, 
flat,  very  full,  highly  scented;  very  profuse  bloomer;  a  val- 
uable garden  rose. 
Bridal  Rose — See  "Rubus  Grandiflora." 
Cabbage  Rose,  (June — Old  fashioned)— See  "Centifolia." 
Cameliae  folia,  (evergreen)— Leaves  deep,  shining  green;  is  an 
evergreen  species  from  Japan ;  handsome  in  or  out  of  flower; 
the  flowers  are  single  and  white. 
Celine,  (June) — Cupped  rose,  large  and  fine;  suitable  for  pillars. 


THE   HOME  FLOllIST.  83 


Centifolia,  (June)— Rose  color,  large,  full,  globular  form  and  fra- 
grant; a  very  desirable  garden  variety;  the  old  fashioned 
Cabbage  Rose. 

Centifolia  Cristata,  (June)— Large,  pink  flov^ers,  fragrant  and 
good. 

Charles  Lawson—'Light  rose  color,  very  fragrant;  large  and  full; 
useful  for  pillars. 

Chenedolle,  (June)— Bright  red,  double,  very  large;  a  valuable 
sort. 

Cherokee  Rose,  (evergreen)— Large,  single  flowers,  pure  white; 
very   fragrant. 

Comte  d'  Espremesnil — Vigorous  flowers;  lilac,  semi-double  and 
very  fragrant;  it  is  highly  esteemed,  is  perfectly  hardy; 
belongs  to  the  Rugosa  family. 

Coupe  d'  Hebe,  (June)— Dark  pink,  large  size,  cup  form;  a  very 
distinct  rose. 

Double  Margined  Hej),  (June)- 'A  heauiiiul  lose,  white,  tinged 
with  pink;  flat  form;  full  and  good. 

Fortune's  Double  Yelloiv,  (evergreen) — Bronzed  yellow  or  copper 
and  fawn  centre;  very  pretty  and  sweet. 

Harrison's  Yellow,  (Austrian)— Golden  yellow,  medium  size, semi- 
double, 

Madame  Hardy,  (June) — White,  large,  very  full,  flat  form,  very 
fragrant;  a  very  beautiful  sort. 

Madame  Lacliarme,  (June) — "White,  tinged  with  pink,  medium 
size,  full  and  of  globular  form;  very  hardy. 

Madame  Plantier,  (June) — One  of  the  June  roses,  at  which  time 
it  is  literally  covered  with  pure  white,  perfectly  double, 
fragrant  flowers,  which  hang  on  for  a  long  time:  makes 
large,  dense  bushes.  We  have  seen  plants  five  feet  in  diame- 
ter with  hundreds  of  blooms  open  at  a  time;  as  hardy  as  an 
oak;  a  beautiful  cemetery  rose. 

Madame  Zoetman,  (June) — Delicate  flesh,  changing  to  white: 
large,  very  full,  flat  form,  fragrant;  a  splendid  white 
variety." 

Mademoiselle  Emma  Hall,  (June)— Carmine  rose:  globular  form, 
of  good  size  and  very  fragrant;  an  excellent  summer  rose. 

Paul  Verdier,  (June) — A  beautiful  shade  of  bright  red,  globular 
flowers;  a  splendid  sort. 

Persian  Yelloiv,  (Austrian)— Bright  yellow: small,  full,  well-form- 
ed flowers;  must  be  pruned  sparingly. 


84  THE  HOME  FLORIST. 


Queen  of  Ayrshire,  (Ayrshire) — Violet  crimson,  semi-double, 
small  flowers;  a  fine  garden  rose. 

Queen  of  the  Belgians,  (Ayrshire) — Pure  white,  double  and  sweet. 

Rubus  Grandiflora — Large,  double,  pure  white  flowers;  very 
showy  and  desirable;  known  as  the  bridal  rose. 

Rubus  RoscefoUus  Coronarius — A  new  dwarf  Eubus;  rose-color- 
ed flowers. 

Rugosa  Alba — Single,  pure  white  flowers,  highly  scented. 

Rugosa  Rubra — Rosy  red,  tinged  with  violet;  single  and  fra~ 
grant.  The  Eosa  Eugosa  are  splendid  shrubs  for  borders. 
The  three  varieties  we  name  in  this  list  are  highly  com- 
mended. 

Stanwell  Perpetual,  (Scotch) — Blush,  medium  size,  double,  deli- 
cately scented. 

Sweet  Briar  or  Eglantine,  (evergreen) — The  delicious  fragrance  of 
the  leaves  of  this  old  favorite  keeps  it  in  demand;  flne  for 
hedges. 

White  Banksia,  (Banksia) — Pure  white,  very  small,  very  full  and 
double;  blooms  in  panicles;  has  the  delicious  fragrance  of 
the  violet;  somewhat  tender;  splendid  for  the  south. 

White  Microphylla,  (evergreen — Alba  Odorata) — Medium-sized 
flowers;  very  double,  white  and  sweet  scented;  bright, 
glossy  leaves. 

Yellcw  Banksia,  (Banksia) — Like  White  Banksia,  except  the 
color,  which  is  clear  yellow;  it  too  is  a  most  grand  and 
charming  acquisition   for  cultivation  in  a  southern  clime. 

TENDER    ROSES— MONTHLY. 

In  the  division  of  Tender  Eoses  certain  characteristics  are  found 
that  render  the  various  classes  of  them,  perhaps,  the  most  desu'a- 
ble  of  all  Eoses  for  ordinary  cultivation.  They  are  natives  of 
warm  countries,  like  China,  Bengal,  the  isle  of  Bourbon,  etc., and 
although  all  the  varieties  will  bear  considerable  freezing,  and 
some  are  almost  entirely  hardy,  even  in  the  north,  their  natural 
propensities  to  grow  and  flower,  more  or  less,  continually — month- 
ly, as  it  is  termed — remains  unchanged  with  being  removed  to 
our  climate,  and  with  j^roper  treatment  and  a  suitable  tempera- 
ture in  winter,  in  the  window  or  conservatory,  they  may  be  had 
to  flower  almost  the  year  through.  In  the  mild  climate  of  our 
Southern  States  they  continue  to  grow  and  bloom  in  the  open  air 
with  little  interruption.     By  suitable  protection  at  the  approach 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  85 

of  cold  weather,  or  by  wintering  in  a  cold  pit  or  cellar,  they  are 
easily  managed  to  thrive  in  the  open  air  in  our  Northern  States, 
and  produce  an  abundance  of  bloom  from  June  until  October  and 
November. 

BOURBON  EOSES.— This  is  the  hardiest  class  of  this  division, 
being  nearly,  but  not  quite,  hardy  in  the  latitude  of  Buffalo.  Al- 
though some  of  the  varieties  do  not  flower  as  frequently  as  do 
those  of  other  classes  of  tender  rcses,  the  flowers  are  jDroduced  in 
large  clusters,  are  of  large  size,  well  shaped,  bright  and  varied  in 
color,  fragrant  and  lasting,  for  w^hich  reason  they  are  always 
found  very  satisfactory  to  grow.  Some,  among  which  the  Her- 
mosa  stands  prominent,  are  unequaled  for  their  free  flowering 
qualities,  in  the  open  air,  and  nearly  so  for  pot  culture  and  win- 
ter flowering.  All  are  vigorous  growers,  with  rich,  luxuriant 
foliage,  and  are  quite  certain  of  giving  satisfaction  to  cultivators. 

BENGAL  OR  CHINA  ROSES— The  varieties  of  these  through- 
out are  free  flowering,  of  thrifty  growth  and  rather  compact 
form,  and  while  the  flowers  probably  do  not  average  as  large  as 
those  of  the  Bourbon  and  other  sections,  the  plants,  if  bedded 
out,  are  certain  to  be  covered  with  a  larger  number  of  buds  and 
flowers  of  their  characteristically  brilliant  colors  than  any  other 
class  cultivated.  They  require  to  be  well  protected  during  win- 
ter in  the  north.  Very  desirable  for  pot  culture.  The  Agrippina, 
a  well-known  type  of  this  class,  is  unequaled  as  a  fine  rose  for 
growing  in  pots  and  for  summer  bedding. 

TEA-SCENTED  AND  FORCING  ROSES.— Of  these  beautiful, 
sweet  Roses,  it  may  bo  said,  with  mild  justice  to  their  many 
good  qualities,  that  while  the  Rose  finds  devoted  cultivators,  they 
will  rank  high  among  fine  kinds  in  many  respects  This  is  par- 
ticularly true  of  the  exquisite,  deliciously  fragrant,  bud  varieties, 
which,  in  the  estimation  of  cultivated  tastes,  are  lovely  and  at- 
tractive above  the  majority  of  flowers  in  our  collection,  and  many 
of  them  remarkably  suitable  for  pot  cultivation,  in  the  window 
or  conservatory,  being  of  fine  habit  and  very  productive.  In 
our  own  experience  in  cultivating  these  in  greenhouses,  where  the 
varieties  Marchal  Niel,  Perle  des  Jardins,  Safrano,  Isabella  Sprunt 
and  Bon  Silene  are  grown  largely  for  our  cut-flower  trade,  the 
plants  never  fail  to  produce  a  constant  daily  supply  duiing  the 
winter,  and  almost  continually  through  the  year  besides.  To  show 
their  appreciable  value,  I  will  state  that  these  find  ready  pur- 
chasers all  through  cold  weather,  at  the  uniform  price  of  fifteen 


86  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


to  forty  cents  per  bud,  just  as  cut  from  the  plants,  which  is  nearly 
twice  the  money  realized  for  other  Roses  at  the  same  time.  The 
entire  class  is  perhaps  more  susceptible  to  injury  from  cold  than 
most  other  Roses,  but  nevertheless  their  general  habit  is  healthy 
and  vigorous,  and  when  growing  in  the  open  ground  some  of  them 
are  prolific  of  buds  and  flowers  all  during  the  summer.  By  care- 
fully lifting  such  plants  in  October  and  giving  them  protection  in 
a  first-class  cold  pit  during  winter,  returning  then  to  the  open 
ground  in  spring,  they  will  thrive  from  year  to  year  bedded  out 
the  same  as  any  other  class  of  tender  Roses.  Some  of  the  Tea- 
scented  Roses  are  too  double  to  be  classified  as  bud  varieties— a 
few  of  which  are  not  fully  double  when  open.  These  produce 
large  flowers  of  the  unapproachable  tints,  shades  and  colors,  and 
possessed  of  the  exquisite  fragrance  for  which  this  class  is  peculiar. 
NOISETTE  ROSES.— This  class,  although  quite  limited  in  num- 
ber of  varieties,  is  of  great  value  for  permanent  planting  in  the 
soil  of  a  greenhouse  or  CO  iTservatory,  as  on  account  of  their  free 
climbing  habits  they  can  be  permanently  trained  to  the.  rafters 
and  trellises.  Plants,  after  having  spread  to  some  distance,  pro- 
duce immense  crops  of  beautiful,  fragrant  and  fine  colored 
flowers  at  short  intervals.  Severe  pruning  of  the  young  shoots  is 
necessary  to  secure  the  best  results.  By  keeping  the  leading 
branches  well  cut  back,  numerous  varieties  of  this  class  are  ex- 
cellent for  growing  as  ordinary  pot  roses  and  for  bedding  in 
sunnner. 

HYBRID  TEA  ROSES. 

The  New  Hybrid  Tea  Roses,  lately  introduced  from  Europe,  are 
so  distinct  and  beautiful,  and  are  attracting  so  much  attention, 
that  we  class  them  by  themselves.  These  splendid  varieties  rep- 
resent an  entirely  new  and  distinct  type  or  class  of  Roses,  the  re- 
sult of  a  cross  between  varieties  of  the  Hybrid  Perpetual  or  Re- 
montant Roses  and  the  Teas.  The  great  advantage  claimed  for 
them  is,  that  they  combine  the  hardiness  of  the  Hybrid  Perpet- 
uals,  with  the  constant  blooming  qualities,  rich  and  delicate  col- 
oring, and  delightful  fragrance  of  tlie  Tea  Roses.  Most  of  them 
are  probably  hardy  in  tlie  Middle  States,  and  they  are  well  worthy 
of  extensive  and  thorough  trial  by  all  who  love  rai'e  and  beauti- 
ful Roses. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  8/ 


POLYANTHA  ROSES. 

This  is  an  interesting  group  from  Japan,  of  comparatively  re- 
cent introduction.  The  foKage  and  flowers  are  both  very  small, 
the  latter  being  produced  in  panicles.  The  original  varieties  are 
non-remontant,  but  are  crosses  or  hybrids,  natural  or  artificial, 
between  the  singled-flowered  Polyantha  and  varieties  of  other 
classes,  Teas,  etc.  They  are  ever-blooming,  of  slender  growth, 
and  will  probably  prove  more  hardy  than  most  of  the  Teas  Their 
character  of  blossoming  in  panicled  clusters  gives  them  a  dis- 
tinctive interest,  and  they  are  much  esteemed  by  those  who  have 
seen  them. 

BOURBON   ROSES. 

They  are  not  quite  hardy,  but  a  very  slight  protection  suffices 
chem.  They  are  continual  bloomers,  mostly  of  rapid  growth, 
with  rich,  luxuriant  foliage,  and  are  the  most  beautiful  in  the 
autumn.  The  flowers  are  for  the  most  part,  produced  in  clusters, 
and  generally  of  a  light  color,  well  shajied  and  somewhat  fra- 
grant. Some  of  the  freest  and  most  constant  blooming  Roses  are 
contained  in  this  section,  Hermosa  and  Malmaison  having  but 
few  e<)Uals  for  freedom  and  continuity. 

Abbe  Girardin — Vigorous,  flowers  large,  full  and  well   formed, 

color  satiny  rose,  deeper  in  the  centre ;  very   distinct   and 

free. 
Alfred  Aubert — A  vigorous  grower  and  profuse  bloomer ;  flowers 

as  well  shaped  as  "Hermosa,"  of  a  bright  red  color. 
ApoZZwze— Delicate  rose,  heavily  shaded  wath  pmk,  exceedingly 

sweet,  very  large,  full  and  double;  one  of  the  best. 
Bouquet  de  Marie — Deep  rose,   tinted,   and  veined  silver  white; 

free  bloomer;  very  fragrant. 
Comtessede  Barbantine— Flesh  color,  changiix'^  to  white;  beau- 
tiful cup  shaped  flowers. 
Comtesse  de  Rocquigney — Color  white,  delicately  tinted  with  rosy 

salmon;  fidl,  globular  form,  fragrant  and  desirable. 
Duchess  de  Thuriii ge—Be2i\ii\i\xl  silver  rose,  finely  cupped,  full 

and  sweet;  free  bloomer. 
Edward  -Des/osses- Carmine  rose,  medium  size,  full  and  double, 

very  sweet  and  a  most  excellent  variety. 
Emotion— Rose,  tinged  with  lilac,  changing  to  blush  and  clear 

rose,  full  and  fragrant. 


88 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Queen  of  Bedders. 


George  Pedbody — Rosy  crimson,  medium  size,  full,  well  formed, 
fragrant;  one  of  the  best  Bourbons,  highly  commended. 

Gloire  des  Rosomanes — Vigorous  growth,  brilliant  crimson,  semi- 
double,  but  very  effective ;  fragrant. 

Henri  Plantier — A  charming  sort,  color  clear  rose,  medium  size, 
very  sweet  and  blooms  in  profusion. 

Hermosa — Always  in  bloom  and  always  beautiful.  The  flower  is 
cupped,  finely  formed  and  full;  color  the  most  pleasing 
shade  of  pink,  soft  but  deep;  very  fragrant;  a  standard 
variety. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  89 


Iviperatrice  Eugenie— Silxerj  rose,  large,  very  full  and  fragrant; 

a  most  excellent  sort. 
Leveson  Goicer—'Dee^  rose,  tinged  with  salmon.     This  variety  is 

very  scarce   and  much  sought  after  as  a  companion  for 

"Malmaison." 
Louis  Odier — Another  old  variety  of   great  merit,  bright  rose, 

medium  size,  full,  well  formed,  hardy. 
Madame  Bosanquet—A  fine  old  variety,  much  esteemed;  pale 

flesh,  shaded  with  deep  rose,  large  size,  very  double  and 

sweet. 
Madame    Isaac   Pereire — Carmine   red,   very  large,    full,    free 

blooming;  a  charming  new  rose. 
Madame  Jeanne  Joubert— Fine,  rich  crimson;  a  solid  and  brilliant 

color;  flowers  large,  compact  and  full;  fragrant. 
Madame  Pierre  Oger — Beautiful  flesh  color,  the  exterior  of  petals 

marbled  with  soft,   rosy  lilac,  double  flowers  of  cupped 

form ;  a  fine  and  distinct  rose. 
Madame  Rivouy—A  companion  rose  for  Sombreuil.    except  in 

color,  which  is  of  a  beautiful  rich  crimson  scarlet,  very 

large,  fine  form ;  very  fragrant. 
Malmaison  a  Jleur  Rouge — Said  to  have  all  the  good  qualities  of 

Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison,  which  sort  it  resembles,  except 

in  color,  which  is  a  bright  clear  red;  extra  fine. 
Marquis  de  Balbiano — Splendid  soft,  rosy  blush,   edges  and  re- 
verse of  petals,  silver  rose,  full  and  sweet. 
Monthly  Cabbage — Deep  rose  red,   large,  globular  shape;   good 

bloomer;  fragrant. 
Peerless — Rich  crimson;  blooms  in  clusters;  very  sweet. 
Perle  d'  Angers — Flowers  very  large,    color   glossy   flesh  wliite, 

very  delicate;  a  magnificent  rose. 
Pierre  de  St.  C^/r— Bright  rose,  large  and  double,  full  and  sweet; 

a  vigorous  grower. 
Pink  Daily — Bright  pink;  flowers  produced  in  clusters  in  the 

greatest  profusion. 
Queen  of  Redder s — Very  rich,  dark,  velvety  crimson;   very  free 

blooming;  flowers  compact  and  full;  one  of  the  best  crim- 
son bedders;  a  grand  sort. 
Queen  of  Boiu'bons—A  splendid  rose,  large,  fine  form,  full  and 

sweet,  color  clear  carmine,   changing  to  cleav  rose;  petalg 

edged  with  white. 
Red  Malmaison— Bqq  "Malmaison  a  fleur  Rouge." 


90  THE   HOMIC   FLORIST. 


Robusta—Yery  large,  double  flowers,  full  aud  sweet,  clear  carna- 
tion red,  shaded  and  veined  with  rosy  crimson;  very  beau- 
tiful. 

Sir  Joseph  Paxton — Deep  red,  slightly  tinged  with  violet,  medium 
size,  full  and  well  formed. 

Somhreuil — A  strong  grower,  pushing  up  long,  heavy  shoots,  each 
bearing  a  cluster  of  floweis.  large  and  full,  creamy  white, 
often  tinted  with  pink;  a  valuable  sort  for  culture  in  the 
open  air. 

Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison — A  noble  rose.  The  flower  is  extreme- 
ly large  and  double  to  the  centre ;  color  flesh  white,  clear 
and  fresh;  has  been  considered  the  finest  Bourbon  rose  for 
40  years.  Its  great  beauty  in  the  fall  makes  it  one  of  the  fin- 
est of  all  roses  at  that  season;  a  flower  that  is  universally 
popular  and  will  always  be  so. 

CHINESE  OR  BENGAL  ROSES. 

The  China  or  Bengal  Roses  are  dwarf  and  flower  with  the  great- 
est profusion  all  through  summer  and  fall,  making  excellent 
edges  for  beds  of  other  roses  and  fine  pot  plants.  Their  flowers 
are  not  equal  in  size  and  fragrance  to  those  of  the  Teas,  but  they 
consist  chiefly  of  rich,  dark  colors,  which  are  scarce  in  the  other 
sections  of  the  Ever  Blooming  Roses.  They  make  grand  bedders. 
Abbe  Mailand — Dark,  rosy  crimson;  large,  full,  vigorous. 
Admired   Rigney — Rich,    carmine  rose,    large  flowers,    full  and 

handsome;  constant  and  profuse. 
Agrippina — Rich  crimson,  specially  valuable  for  its  fine  buds; 
useful  for  bedding  out;  the  best  of  the  class  brought  from 
China  about  1789;  much  esteemed. 
Areh  Duke  Charles — Brilliant,    rosy  crimson,  very  full  and  ex- 
tremely sweet;  a  splendid  rose;  heavy  foliage. 
Beau  Carmine— Fine  carmine  red,  very  rich  color,  good  size,  dou- 
ble, fragrant  and  desirable. 
Cramoisi  Super ieur—'Rk-\\,  velvety  crimson,  double,  fine  in  the 

bud;  a  good  bedding  variety. 
Crimson  Redder — Bright,  fiery  red,  velvety;  its  habit  and  bloom- 
ing qualities  combine  to  make  it  the  best  scarlet  bedding 
rose  for  massing,  etc.;  recommended. 
Douglass — Dark,  rich  crimson;  buds  of  good  shape;  very  free 
fiowering,  highly  recommended;  a  valuable  variety  for 
house  culture. 


THE   HOME    FLORIST.  91 


Eugene  Beaiihariiais—'BQaiUiiful  crimson,  illumined  with  fiery  red; 

a  good  variety, 
(rreeui^ose— See '-Virldi  flora." 
La  Phoenix— Red,  shaded  crimson;  free  bloomer,  flowers  medium 

size  and  double;  delicious  fragrance. 
Louis  Philippe — Rich  dark,  velvety  crimson,  full  and  beautiful; 

one  of  the  best  for  bedding. 
Lucullus — Beautiful  dark  crimson  maroon,    large,   full   and  fra- 
grant; a  constant  and  profuse  bloomer;  extra  good  for  oat- 
door  culture. 
Madame  Julie  Lasseau — Flowers  large   and   full,    free   and  con- 
stant; color  a  deep  rose. 
Madame  Lawrenee—Vink  button  rose,  about  the  size  of  a  ten-cent 

piece;  double  and  fragrant;  the  growth,  foliage  and  flower 

are  all  miniature. 
Madame  Lawrence — Crimson  button  rose,  same  as  preceding,  but 

deep  crimson  color. 
Nemesis — Sj)lendid  f ull,  double  flowers  of  dark  velvety  crimson; 

especially   fine  for  massing  when  rich,    dark    colors   are 

wanted. 
President  d'  Olbecque — Bright,  purplish  crimson,  large,  full  and 

fragrant;  a  profuse  bloomer. 
Purple  China— Rich,  purplish  crimson;  velvety;  one  of  the  most 

constant  and  free  blooming  in  the  class. 
Queen  of  France — Fine,  brilliant  red,  shaded  with  dark  crimson; 

good  size  flowers,  full  and  very  i)rofuse. 
Queen's  Scarlet — Dazzling  crimson  scarlet;  has  beautiful  buds, 

which  are  much   prized  for  cut  flowers;    sweet  scented, 

hardy. 
Roi  deCramoisi — Bright,  purplish  crimson,  full  and  very  double; 

good  size,  free  and  fragrant ;  a  charming  rose. 
Sanguinea — Brilliant  crimson,  good  size.     This  variety  is  much 

prized,  both  for  pot  culture  and  for  massing  in   beds:  one 

of  the  best. 
Souvenir  de  David — Fine,  rich  crimson;  good  grower;  large,  fall 

and  fragrant;  constant  bloomer. 
Viridi  flora — The  flowers  of  this   variety  are  pure  green,    quite 

double;  a  great  curiosity,  both  in  bud  and  flower. 


92 


THE  HOME   ILORIST. 


TEA   ROSES— EVER-BLOOMING. 


Tea  Rose, 

Tea  Roses  are  celebrated  the  world  over  for  their  delicious  fra 
grance  and  the  exquisite  forms  and  rich,  charming  tints  of  thei- 
flowers,  and  may  well  be  taken  as  a  synonym  for  all  that  is  deli- 
cately beautiful.  What  refinement  of  color;  what  subdued,  yet 
powerful  fragrance  do  they  possess  !  They  may  be  justly  called 
the  sweetest  of  all  roses.  The  flowers,  many  of  them  are  large 
and  very  delicate  in  their  shades  of  color,  such  as  white,  straw, 
salmon,  and  various  tints  of  rose  combined  with  them.  While, 
as  a  rule,  they  are  inferior  to  the  Hybrid  Perpetuals  in  brilliancy 
of  color  and  fullness  of  flower,  the  distinctions  between  varieties 
arc  marked,  and  for  bouquets  and  cut  flowers  they  excel  all  other 
flowers.  Like  other  tender  roses,  their  flowers  improve  in  quality 
as  the  season  advances,  and  reach  perfection  in  the  autumn.  In 
judging  the  merits  of  a  Tea  Rose,  we  do  not  consider  fullness  of 
flower  a  requisite.  A  Hybrid  Perpetual  is  nothing  if  not  at  least 
moderately  double;  but  many  of  our  most  valued  Teas  have  but 
very  few  petals,  and  are  comparatively  single.    All  these  have 


THE  HOME  FLORIST.  93 

exquisitely-formed  buds,  and  are  therefore  prized  as  invaluable. 
The  Teas  are  more  tender  than  any  of  the  other  classes  and  need 
a  little  more  care  in  their  protection.  They  form  the  largest  and 
most  popular  section  of  the  Ever- Blooming  Roses,  producing  an 
endless  succession  of  flowers  in  a  favorable  climate,  and  even  at 
the  north  blooming  from  the  time  they  are  j^lanted  until  stopped 
by  freezing  weather.  Teas  should  be  planted  in  a  rich,  warm 
soil,  where  they  will  be  kept  constantly  growing,  for  they  bloom 
as  they  grow.  Where  they  continue  to  grow  year  after  year, 
without  being  checked  by  hard  freezing,  they  form  immense 
masses  of  foliage  covered  with  flowers  of  the  largest  size  and  pro- 
duced in  the  greatest  abundance. 
Abbe  Roustan — A  splendid  variety;  large,  full,  globular  flowers, 

very  sweet;  color  beautiful  creamy  white;  elegantly  shaded 

rosy  blush. 
Adam— Blight  fresh  salmon   rose,    extra  large  size,   double  and 

full;  free  bloomer;  delicious  tea  scent;  a  lovely  rose. 
Adrienne  Christople — A  beautiful  rose,  very  full  and  double  and 

tea  scented;  color  a  lovely  shade  of  apricot,  citron  and  fawn, 

tinged  with  soft  rosy  pink. 
^Z6a  i^osea  — Beautiful    creamy  white  with  rose- colored  centre; 

petals  shaded  with  blush;  very  double  and  fragrant. 
Aline  Sisley — Flower  is  large  and  full,   double  and   full;  color  a 

rare  shade  of  violet  rose,  brightened  with  crimson  maroon; 

a  fruity,  pleasant  fragrance. 
Amazone—YeWow,  reverse  of  petals,  veined  with  rose;  long, well- 
formed  buds;  a  charming  rose. 
American  Banyier — The  flowers  are  bright  red,  distinctly  striped 

and  marked  with  pure  white.     The  colors  are  well  defined 

and  every  bud  and  flower  are  deeply  striped.     It  is  fragrant 

and  a  profuse  bloomer  when  full  grown ;  a  rose  of  merit. 
Andre  Schwartz — Beautiful  crimson  free  flowering  variety,  pretty 

buds;  new  and  distinct. 
Anna  OlUvier — Lovely  creamy  blush,  shaded  with  deep  carmine, 

tinged  add  edged  wdth  silver;  rose  fragrant,  large  and  full; 

a  superb  rose. 
Ai'ch  Duchess  Isabella— lusiYge,  full  form,  delightfully  fragrant; 

white,  shaded  with  rosy  carmine,    changing  to  amaranth: 

makes  lovely  buds;  a  constant  and  profuse  bloomer. 
Baron  de  St.  Triviers — Flowers  very  large,  full,  and  of  fine  form, 

color  a  delicate  flesh  rose;  fine   winter  bloomer;  vigorous 


94 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


American  Banner, 

Baron  Alexander  de  Vrits  -Beautiful  pale  blush  rose,  delicately 

tinged  with  carnation  reel;   flowers  are  borne   in  clusters, 

are  large,  full  and  very  fra,giant. 
Baronne  Sinety — Color  deep   yellow  with  darker   centre,   outer 

petals  slightly  shaded  pink,  of  good  form;  a  charming  sort. 
Bella — Pure  snow  white;  splendid,  long-pointed  buds,  tea  scented; 

large  size,  full  and  double;  an  excellent  sort. 
Belle  3Iacowrise—'Pale,    salmon  rose;  buds  orange  fawn;  large, 

full  and  fine  form ;  vigorous. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  95 


Belle  Fleur  d'Aiijou— An  elegant  rose,  large,  full  and  double, 
delightfully  fragrant;  color  beautiful  silver  rose;  beautiful, 
large,  pointed  buds;  a  good  sort. 

Binaqai — White,  shaded  with  flesh  color;  a  distinct,  beautiful 
rose,  full  and  fragrant. 

Blmiclie  Ncibonnarid — Habit  vigorous;  flowers  very  large,  double 
and  of  very  fine  shape,  imbricated;  color  pure  white;  a  con- 
tinuous bloomer. 

Bon  Silene — Grown  by  every  florist  for  its  highly-colored  buds, 
dark  carmine  rose,  often  changing  to  crimson.  The  buds 
are  very  handsome  and  produced  in  great  profusion;  a 
strong,  healthy  grower ;  one  of  the  best  for  pot  culture. 

Bougere — Bronzed  pink,  tinged  with  lilac;  large  and  full,  thick 
petals;  one  of  the  handsomest ;  an  old  variety,  yet  one 
of  the  most  desirable. 

Canary — Light  canary  yellow,  beautiful  buds  and  flowers,  very 
fragrant;  an  old  and  much-esteemed  variety. 

Caroline — Rosy  flesh,  deeper  towards  centre,  j^rettily-formed 
buds,  highly  tea  scented;  very  free  flowering. 

Catherine  Mermet — A  beautiful,  clear  flesh  color,  with  the  same 
silvery  lustre  seen  in  La  France;  large,  full,  well  formed, 
very  beautiful  in  the  bud;  when  the  flowers  expand  they 
exhale  a  delightful  perfume;  the  finest  of  all  the  Teas. 

Cels-Multiflora — A  fine  old  variety,  much  valued;  flowers  in  clus- 
ters, medium  size,  full  and  double,  pale  flesh,  deepening  to 
rose. 

Charles  Covelli — A  charming  tea  rose;  large,  globular  flowers, 
full  and  sweet;  color  a  lovely  shade  of  brilliant  carmine, 
changing  to  silver  rose. 

Clara  Sylvain — Creamy  white,  good,  full  form,  very  double  and 
fragrant;  a  splendid  variet}^ 

Clement  Nabonnand—Charmmg  buds  and  beautiful  flowers;  color 
coppery  rose,  tinged  with  purplish  crimson;  a  constant  and 
profuse  bloomer;  very  sweet. 

Com^cde  Pan's -Beautiful  clear  silver  rose,  shaded  with  rosy 
flesh:  large,  full  flowers,  sweet,  an  old  variety,  much  es- 
teemed. 

Comtesse  de  Laharthe— Few  roses  equal  this  in  freedom  of  flower- 
ing; none  surpass  it  in  fragrance.  The  flowers  are  cup- 
shaped;  color  a  rich  pink  shaded  with  carmine  and  amber; 
pretty  in  bud  and  flower;  a  grand  rose. 


96 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Comte  Taverna — Pure  white  with  lemon-yellow  centre  and  shad- 
ing, deliciously  scented;  a  beautiful  sort. 

Comtesse  ATban  de  Villeneuve — Extra  large,  full  and  regular;  color 
a  peculiar  shade  of  rosy  peach,  faintly  j)assing  to  silvery 
white;  very  pretty  and  sweet. 

Comtesse  de  Nadaillac—Qoi\)^eYj  yellow,  illumined  with  carmine 
rose;  large,  full,  distinct  and  effective;  highly  esteemed. 

Comtesse  Biza  du  Pare— Flowers  very  large,  full,  double  and 
sweet;  color  bright  coppery  rose,  tinged  and  shaded  with 
soft  violet  crimson ;  a  strong  grower  and  profuse  bloomer. 

Coquette  de  Lyon — Flowers  canary  yellow,  medium  size,  some- 
times called  the  "Yellow  Hermosa"  on  account  of  its  free- 
dom in  flowering.  The  plant  has  a  charming  effect  covered 
with  its  beautiful  yellow  blooms;  very  constant  and  free. 

Cornelia  Cook— See  "Cornelie  Koch." 

Cornelie  Koch — This  beautiful  rose  is  now  in  great  demand  for  its 
magnificent  buds,  which  are  of  immense  size  and  of  lovely 
form.  The  color  is  pure  white;  delightful  tea  fragrance, 
known  as  "Cornelia  Cook." 

Curt  Schiiltheis — Large,  full  flowers;  color  a  rosy  salmon  or  cop- 
pery yellow,  tinged  with  rose;  very  distinct  and  beautiful; 
sweet  and  a  free  bloomer, 

David  Pradle — An  old  and  much-esteemed  variety;  very  large 
size,  full  and  sweet;  color  lilac  rose. 

Devoniensis—MsignolisL  rose,  beautiful,  creamy  white,  with  rosy 
centre;  largo,  full,  and  delightfully  sweet;  tea-scented;  one 
of  the  finest  roses. 

Doctor  Berthet — Beautiful  silvery  pink  and  dark  carmine,  passing 
to  rosy  crimson;  cup  shaped,  very  double  and  sweet. 

Due  de  Magenta — Flesh,  shaded  with  fawn,  thick  petals,  full, 
very  large;  a  splendid  tea  rose. 

Duchesse  de  Brabant — See  "Comtesse  de  Labarthe." 

Duchess  of  Edinburgh — A  splendid  rose,  in  great  demand  for  its 
lovely  buds,  and  remarkable  for  its  beautiful  color,  which 
is  the  most  intense  glowing  scarlet. 

Edward  Gontier — Full,  fine-shaped  fiowers,  quite  double  and  of 
good  size;  pure  white,  with  a  deep  yellosv  centre,  occasion- 
ally tinted  with  pink;  constant  bloomer;  superb. 

EUseSauvage — Orange  yellow,  medium  size,  full  and  double;  an 
excellent  sort. 


THE    HOME   FLORIST.  97 

Empereur  de  Russia — Beautiful  pinkish  scarlet;  ^ood  form  and 

habit;  free  bloomer;  fragrant. 
Enfant  de  Lyon— Cveamy  -pink  centre,  rosy  blush;  an  excellent 
bloomer;  its  fragrance  is  quite  distinct  from  that  of  any 
other  rose;  not  unlike  sweet  Anise;  desirable. 
Etendard  de  Jeanne   d'Arc — Flowers  fine,    well  formed  and  of 
good  substance;  color  creamy  white,  passing  to  pure  white; 
one  of  the  finest  of  the  class;  robust  grower. 
Etoile  de  Lyon — Beautiful  chrome  yellow,  deepening  at  the  cen- 
tre to  pure  golden  yellow;  flowers  very  large,  very  double 
and  full,  and  deliciously  fragrant;  a  grand  bedding  variety. 
Eugene  Patete — Color  violet   crimson  with  rose  and    yellow;  a 

strong,  vigorous  growler;  very  fine. 
Flavescens—L.ight  yellow,  long,  fine  buds;    fragrant;  introduced 
from  China  about  1824;  of  delicate  habit,  commonly  known 
as  "Yellow  Tea." 
Flora  Nabonnand—Csmarj  yellow,   edged   with  roee;    a    most 

charming  sort;  large,  full  and  exquisitely  sweet. 
General  Schahlekine—Rich,  glowing  crimson,  large,  w^ell-formed 
flowers,  highly  tea-scented;  esteemed  for  its  constant  win- 
ter-blooming qualities. 
General  Tartas — Deep  mottled  rose,  sometimes  tinged  with  buff; 

beautiful  buds;  good  habit;  an  excellent  rose. 
Gerard  Z)es6ois— Bright  glowing  red  of  good  form;  one  of  the 

hardiest  and  most  useful  of  the  class. 
Helvetia— SalmoB,  with  peach  rose  in  the  centre;  large,  very  full; 

an  extra  fine  tea. 
Homer— Flowers  very  beautifully  formed  and  handsome  in  bud; 
color  soft  clear  rose  with  a  salmon  shade;  a  good  garden 
rose;  extra  fine. 
Honorable  Edith  Gifford    Flowers  large,  of  heavy  texture,  very 
fine,  both  in  bud   and  open  flower;  color  flesh  white  or 
cream,  with  very  distinct  light  pink  centre;  an  exquisite 
rose. 
Ida — A  lovely  rose,   medium  size,  full  and  double;  pale   canary 

yellow;  fine  buds. 
Isabella  Sprunt— Well  known  as  one  of  the  most  useful  kinds; 
grows  luxuriantly  and  literally  lavishes  its  long  lemon-yel- 
low buds  from  early  spring  till  frost  in  the  fall. 
Janne  d'  0?^-Fine  coppery  yellow,  full,  globular  form;  very  dou- 
ble; highly  tea-scented;  one  of  the  sweetest  in  the  class. 


98  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

Jean  Duclier — Bronzed  rose;  large,  very  full,  globular  form;  very 

beautiful. 
Jean  Pernet — Light  yellow,  suffused  with  salmon ;  beautiful  buds; 

a  magnificent  variety. 
Jeanne  Abel — Above  medium  size:  flowers  of  the  purest  pink,  the 

centres  of  a  deeper  rose  tint;  habit  compact  and  very  free 

flowering. 
Jules  Finger — Elegant   and  valuable;    flowers  large   and  finely 

formed;  very  full  and   sweet;    color  bright    rosy  scarlet, 

beautifully  shaded  with  intense  crimson;  free  bloomer. 
Julie  Ilansais — Creamy  white,  large  and  full;  very  sweet-scented; 

very  beautiful. 
Ketten  Freres— Of.  vigorous  habit;  flowers  very  large,  double  and 

of    fine   form;  imbricated;    remarkable    for    its  beautiful 

color;  a  grand  rose. 
La  Chamoise — Bright  orange  yellow;  a  peculiar  shade  in  roses,  of 

delicate  habit;  flowers  are  single,  but  pretty  in  the  bud. 
La  Fl'^/vifere — Deep   salmon  rose,    large  and  showy;    very  free 

flowering  and  vigorous. 
La  Grandeur — Beautiful  lilac  rose,  tinted  with  pale  violet  purple; 

large,  full  flowers,  deliciously  scented. 
La  Jonquil — Brilliant  Jonquil  yellow,    semi-double,     sometimes 

single,  medium  or  small-size;  the  most  intense  yellow  rose 

extant;  pretty  buds. 
La  Nuaneee — Fine  salmon  rose,  tinged  with  fawn  and   coppery 

yellow;  charming  buds;  an  elegant  variety. 
La  Princess  Vera-  One  of  the  finest  tea  I'oses;  very  full  and  dou- 
ble; immense  buds,  which  are  prettily  shaped  and   quite 

distinct:  color  pale  flesh,  changing  to  salmon  rose,  shaded 

with  carmine;  very  sweet;  tea  scented;  a  magnificent  sort. 
La  SyljoMde — Blush,  with  fawn  centre;  very  large  and  double;  a 

grand  rose. 
La  Tidip — Creamy  white,  tinted  with  carmine;  full  and  fragrant; 

beautifully  formed;  a  vigorous  grower. 
Lady  Warrender — Pure  w^hite,  sometimes  shaded  with  rose;   me- 
dium size;  very  fragrant:  a  very  pretty  rose. 
Laurette — Delicate  creamy  white,  shaded  with  rose;  flesh-colored 

centre,  fine,  full  form;  fragrant;  sometimes   finely  dotted 

with  dark  rose. 
Le  Mont  Blanc  — Vale  lemon    yellow,   growing   lighter  as  the 

flowers  expand;  very  charming  buds. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  99 

V Elegante— Of  medium  size;  full,  good  shape;  color  vivid  rose, 

centre  yellow,  shaded   and  striped  with  white;  very  free 

blooming;  truly  an  elegant  variety. 
Le  Nankin— I*s.\e  yellow,  shaded  with  coppery  yellow;  pretty  "buds, 
ie  PocfoZe— Very  free  flowering,  elegant  buds;  color  pale  sulphur 

yellow;  much  esteemed. 
Letty  Coles— Soft,  rosy  pink,  deeply  shaded  with  crimson;   extra 

large,  full  form,  exceedingly  sweet;  superb. 
Louisa  de  la  Rive— B.abit  Yigoroiis;  fio  vers  large,  double,   and  of 

fitie  form  imbricated;  color  flesh  white,  inclined  to   rose  in 

the  centre;  a  constant  winter  bloomer. 
Louis  Richard — Rich,  coppery  rose,  changing  to  carmine;  large 

size,  full  form;  tea  scented. 
Ma  Capucine — Nasturtium  yellow,   beautiful  buds;    a  very   dis- 
tinct rose  of  very  delicate  habit. 
Madame  Adelaide  Ristori—k.  good  bedding  variety;  color  deep 

blush;  large  and  full. 
Madame  J.madiew— Flowers  brilliant  carmine  with  white  centre; 

reverse  of  petals  silver  rose  edged  with  purple;  large  and 

fragrant. 
Madame  Angele  Jacqiiier — Light,  silvery  rose,  shaded  throughout 

with  coppery  yellow ;  flowers  large  and  of  distinct   form; 

free  flowering;  one  of  the  finest  new  tea  roses. 
Madame  Azelie  Imbert — Large,  full  form,  double;  color  rosy  buff 

with  ]3each  shading;  fragrant. 
Madame  Barthelemy  Levet — Canary  yellow,  medium  size,  full  and 

sweet. 
Madame  Bernard — Coppery  yellow,  medium  size,  very  free  flower- 
ing; quite  a  distinct  and  grand  rose. 
Madame  Bern oit  Dej^roches -Dark,  glossy  pink,    prettily  tinged 

with  yellowish  buff;   base  of  petals   white;    flowers  large, 

sweet  and  full. 
Madame  Bravy — Canary  white,  large,  full  and  very  symmetrical 

form  and  great  fragrance;    one  of   the  most  beautiful  tea 

roses. 
Madame  Brest— A  splendid  dark  colored  rose,  shading  to  crimson: 

flowers  very  large  and  double,  and  handsome  when  fully 

open . 
Madame  Ca»w7Ze— Delicate  rosy  flesh,  changing  to   salmon  rose, 

shaded  and  suffused  with  deep  carmine;   tea  fragrance;  a 

magnificent  variety. 


lOO  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Madame  Caroline Kusfer— Bright,  lemon  jeWow,  very  large  and 
handsomely  shaped;  one  of  the  finest  roses;  ver}^  free 
flowering. 

Madame  Chabaud  de  St.  Mandrier — Extra  large,  full  flowers; 
color  coppery  or  buff  rose,  elegantly  tinted  and  shaded  with 
golden  yellow;  pretty  and  fragrant. 

Madame  Chedane  Ouinoiseau — Sulphur  yellow,  shaded  canary;  a 
very  free  flowering  sort;  valuable. 

Madame  Cusin — Violet  rose  tinged  with  yellow;  a  profuse  bloom- 
ing variety;  extra. 

Madame  Damaizin — Beautiful  salmon  rose,  changing  to  amaranth 
and  bright  pink;  a  magnificent  flower. 

Madame  Dennis — Wax  wdiite  centre,  fawn  and  flesh;  flowers 
large,  full  and  cupped ;  a  distinct  and  fine  rose  with  beau- 
tiful musk  scent. 

Madame  de  St.  Joseph — Fawn,  shaded  salmon;  large,  full,  sweet- 
scented;  highly  esteemed. 

Madame  de  Vatry — Red,  shaded  with  salmon,  of  good  form,  both 
in  bud  and  flowers,  and  well  scented;  a  very  choice  old 
sort 

Madame  Devaucoux — Beautiful  clear  canary  yellow ;  delicious  tea 
fragrance:  very  double  and  full;  a  beautiful  sort. 

Madame  de  WatteviUe — White,  shaded  with  salmon;  outer  petals 
edged  with  bright  rose;  large  flovvers,  but  not  coarse;  of 
peculiar  odor;  petals  evenly  arranged. 

Madame  Dubroca— Growth  vigorous;  flowers  large  and  double;  of 
fine  shape;  has  a  perfect  habit;  color  delicate  rose,  shading 
to  yellow  at  base  of  petals;  a  new  color. 

Madame  Elise  Stchegoleff— Silvery  white,  beautifully  clouded 
with  crimson  and  tinged  with  pale  yellow;  large,  fine 
flowers;  very  full  and  sweet. 

Madame  Eugenie  Verdier—Yery  large,  finely-formed  flowers  of 
good  shape;  color  dark  salmon  yellow;  highly  commended. 

Madame  Falcot—¥me,  apricot  yellow  with  beautiful  buds;  tea 
scented;  a  constant  bloomer;  much  esteemed. 

Madame  Francois  Janin— Orange  yellow,  small  size;  buds  of  ex- 
quisite shape;  very  distinct,  both  in  color  and  its  peculiar 

fragrance. 
Madame  Francois  Levet— Beautiful,  creamy  yellow,  tinged  with 
rosy  blush;  very  large  and  double;  commended. 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  lOI 

Madame  Hippolyte  Jamain — Large  and   very  double,   fine  cup 

form,  white  with  yellow  centre,  delicately  shaded  with  pink. 

tea  fragrance,  extra  fine. 
Madame  Joseph  Halphin — Salmon  pink,  with  yellowish  centre ;  an 

elegant  variety. 
Madame  Joseph  Schivartz — White,  flushed  with  rose,  changing  to 

flesh  white,    flowering  in  clusters;  full  and  well-formed 

buds. 
Madame  Jules  Margottin — Bright  pink  with  crimson  centre;  large 

and  double;  very  sweet;  full  and  fine. 
3Iadame  Jure — Lilac  rose,  good  size  and  substance,   fragrant;  a 

very  pretty  and  desirable  sort. 
Madame  Lambard—A  fine  large  rose  of  elegant  form,  very  full 

and  sweet;  color  a  peculiar  shade  of   silver   bronze;  buds 

bright  cherry  red;  a  valuable  variety. 
Madame  Leon  de  St.  Jean — Carmine  and  orange,  changing  when 

open  to  blush  rose  tinted  with  fawn  and  citron;  exceedingly 

fragrant ;  an  excellent  rose. 
Madame  Leone  Ferrier — Growth  vigorous;  .flowers  large  and  full; 

buds  perfect  and  of  fine  form;  color  flesh  white;  excellent. 
Madame  Margottin — This  is  a  great  rose,  always  a  favorite;  very 

large,  perfectly  double  flowers,  elegantly  perfumed;  beau- 
tiful citron  yellow  with  coppery  centre;  bright  foliage. 
Madame  Maurice  Kuppenheim— Flowers  of  elegant  form,  large 

and  full;  color  pale  canary  yellow,  faintly  tinged  with  pink, 

shaded  with  coppery  rose;  sweet,  handsome  and   desirable. 
Madame  Melanie  Willermoz—CresiYn.y  white,  thick  petals,  large, 

full  and  fragrant;  an  excellent  sort  for  out-door  culture. 
Madame  Paidiiie  ia5o?i/e— Salmon  rose,  large  and  full:  good  in 

the  bud;  will  give  the  most  bloom  planted  out  of  any  tea; 

an  old  and  excellent  sort. 
Madame  i^ewiond— Medium  size,  handsome  form,  color  yellowish 

white,  centre  darker;  very  fragrant. 
Madame  Welche—Yevj  large,  double  and  beautifully  formed; 

soft,  pale  yellow,  shaded  in  the   centre  with  orange  and 

copper;  blooms  freely:  one  of  the  finest  teas. 
Mademoiselle  Cecile  Berthod—A  grand  rose,  extra  large  size,  veiy 

fragrant,  very  double;  color  deep  clear  yellow. 
Mademoiselle  Lazarine  Poizeau— Bright  daffodil:  a  very  distinct 

color  in  roses;  prettiest  in  bud;  of  delicate  habit. 


I02  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Mademoiselle  Marie  Annand—FXQ^^wt  canary  yellow,  changing 

to  white,  with  reddish  buff  centre;    large,    full  and  fra- 
grant; rare  and  elegant. 
MademoiseUe  Marie  Burton — Pale  yellow;  very   free  flowering; 

full  and  very  double;  fragrant,  a  magnificent  sort. 
Mademoiselle  Marie  Moreau — Pale,  silvery  white,  elegantly  flush- 
ed with  crimson  and  yellow;  large,  finely  formed  flowers, 

full  and  sweet. 
Mademoiselle  Rachel— A.  lovely  tea  rose,  pure   snow  white;  the 

purest   white    tea  rose;    makes  beautiful    buds;    a    most 

charming  variety  ;  deliciously  fragrant. 
Marcelin  Boda—Fale  lemon  yellow,  deepening  toward  the  centre 

to  golden  yellow;  lovely  buds  and  flowers;  an  esteemed  sort. 
Marechal  Robert — White,    the   centre   shaded  with  flesh;    very 

large  and  full;  a  fine  sort. 
Marie  Duclier — Salmon  rose,  large,    very  full;  a  free   blooming 

kind  of  excellent  habit. 
Marie  Guillot — White,  faintly  tinged  with  yellow,  large,  full  and 

splendid  form;  one  of  the  most  beautiful  teas.     This   rose 

combines  perfection  in  both  shai^e  and  form. 
Marie  Pare— Beautiful  rosy  flesh,  delicately  shaded  red,  with  rich 

crimson  centre;  large,  full  flowers;  very  sweet. 
Marie  Sisley — An    elegant  rose,   full  and  double;    delicious  tea 

scent;  color  an  exquisite  shade  of    pale  yellow,    broadly 

margined  with  bright  rose;  superb. 
Marie  Van  Houtte — Pale  yellow;  edge  of  petals  often  lined  with 

rose,  well  formed;  of  good  habit,  and  in   every  respect  a 

most  charming  sort.     The  finest  tea  for  out-door  culture. 
Marquis  de  Sanima  —Large,  globular  flowers,   very  double  and 

sweet;  deep  coppery  yellow  with  rose  centre. 
Melville — Bright  pink,  changing  to  silver;  rose  good   form;  full 

and  fragrant. 
Monsieur  Furtado — Yellow,  medium  size,  well  formed,  very  full; 

an  excellent  sort,  of  good  habit;  not  nearly  so  much  grown 

as  it  deserves. 
Nina — Silvery  white,  colored  with  rosy  blush;  medium  size,  full 

and  sweet;  a  good  rose. 
Niphetos — An  elegant  tea  rose,  very  large  and  double;  deliciously 

sweet;  color  pure,  snow  white;  highly  valued  for  its  lovely 

buds,  which  are  very  large  and  pointed  and  borne  on  long 

stems. 


THE    HOME    FLORIST. 


103 


Niphetos, 

Odorata — Carmine,  changing  to  blush;  large  flowers,  good  in  bud; 

one  of  the  most  fragrant. 
Olympe  Frcesney — White,   shaded  yellow;   full  and  large;   free 

bloomer  and  veiy  sweet. 
Ophelia— A   charming  variety  with    veiy  pretty    cream-white 

flowers,  changing  to  pure  white  when  open;  fine  in  bud. 
Papa  Gontier — Growth  vigorous;    flower  large  and  full;  vivid 

rose  shaded  with  yellow,  reverse  of  petals,  purplish  red. 
Paul  Ndbonnand — An  elegant  shade  of  satiny  rose,  large  and 

lull;  a  charming  free-blooming  sort. 
Perfection  de  Monplaisir — Canary  yellow,  medium  size,  full,  very 

free  flowering;  a  splendid  garden  rose. 


I04  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

Perle  des  Jardms— Canary  or  golden  yellow,  large  and  beauti- 
fully formed  buds,  handsome  in  every  stage  of  develop- 
ment, from  the  smallest  bud  to  the  open  bloom;  without 
doubt  the  finest  dwarf  yellow  rose  cultivated.  The  plant 
grows  freely  and  the  foliage  is  a  picture  in  itself,  being  ex- 
quisitely edged  w-ith  pink.  The  flowers  have  a  delicious 
tea  fragrance  and  are  borne  in  great  profusion;  in  every 
respect  a  superb  and  charming  rose.  See  figure. 

Perle  de  Lyon— Yellow,  with  saffron  centre;  large,  full  and  very 
fragrant ;  a  rose  of  fine  quality. 

Premium  de  Charrissiens— Extra  large,  full  and  sweet;  bright 
carmine  rose  with  fawn  centre;  splendid  buds;  a  good  gar- 
den rose. 

President— Splendid  large  flowers  and  buds;  color  soft  rosy  crim- 
son, changing  to  brilliant  carmine;  very  fragrant  and  beau- 
tiful. 

Princess  of  Wales — Color  a  rich  rosy  yellow,  the  centre  deeper 
yellow;  very  chaste  and  waxy  in  appearance;  long,  pointed 
buds;  very  desirable. 

Bed  Safrano—See  "Safrano  a  fleur  Rouge." 

i^ef/itZws -Large,  perfect  form,  full  and  fragrant;  color  briUiant 
carmine  with  purple  and  rose  shading;  good  for  both  house 
and  garden;  a  splendid  rose. 

Peine  de  Portugal — Coppery  yellow,  blending  with  rose;  large, 
very  full;  an  eminently  distinct  sort. 

Peine  des  Massifs— A  low,  bushy  grower  and  profuse  bloomer; 
flower  medium  size,  full  and  sweet;  color  fine  salmon  yellow. 

Peine  Emma  des  Paijs  B as— Bright  yellow  shaded  with  reddish 
salmon;  large,  full  flowers,  very  fragrant;  an  elegant 
variety. 

Peine  Marie  Pm— Splendid  large,  full  flowers,  bright  scarlet 
rose,  with  rich  crimson  centre;  very  fragrant  and  beauti- 
ful; lovely  buds. 

Peine  Olga  de  Wurtemhurg — Large,  full  and  fine;  color  rosy 
flesh,  delicately  tinged  with  salmon  yellow;  petals  mar- 
gined with  crimson;  blooms  in  clusters. 

Posalie  -  A  distinct  and  charming  miniature  rose,  very  pretty  in 
bud;  open  flowers  of  good  substance;  very  free  flowering; 
color  a  deep  jjink. 

i^osa  Aa6o?i?ia?id— Growth  vigorous;  flowers  very  large;  double 
and  imbricated;  delicate  rose,  vivid  in  centre;  extra  fine. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  I05 

Royal  Tea — "White,  faintly  tinged  with  yellow;  long,  beautiful 
buds;  medium  size;  full  and  sweet. 

Rubens — Rosy  flesh,  deeper  at  centre;  large,  full,  well  formed; 
fine  in  the  bud;  an  excellent  variety. 

Safrano — Saffron  and  apricot  yellow,  exceedingly  beautiful  in 
the  bud;  very  free  flowering; -much  esteemed;  deliciously 
tea  scented. 

Safrano  afleur  Rouge— Ylowers  bright  salmon  red,  shaded  with 
coppery  red;  semi-double;  has  a  peculiar  scent. 

Shirley  Hibbard — A  charming  rose  of  medium  size;  full  and  dou- 
ble; color  real  Nankeen  yellow;  very  distinct;  extra  fine. 

Souvenir  d'Elise  Vardon — Flesh  color  shaded  with  rosy  salmon; 
large,  full  and  sweet;  highly  esteemed. 

Souvenir  de  Georges  ^SaJzcZ— Elegant  and  valuable;  fine,  large,  full 
flowers;  bright  carmine  buds,  changing  when  open  to  red- 
dish amber,  veined  with  crimson ;  very  fragrant. 

Souvenir  de  Germain  de  St.  Pierre— Growth  vigorous;  flowers 
large  and  full,  with  very  large  petals;  purplish  red; 
unique  color  in  this  class;  very  abundant  bloomer. 

Souvenir  de  Madam^.  Fernet — Beautiful  soft  silvery  rose,  under- 
laid with  yellow;  large,  full  flowers;  very  handsome  when 
in  bud. 

Souvenir  de  Marie  Tetrey — An  elegant  rose ;  large  size,  full,  reg- 
ular form,  very  double  and  sweet;  color  pure  white,  flushed 
and  tinted  with  soft,  rosy  crimson. 

Souvenir  de  Paul  Neyroii — White,  beautifully  tinged  with  clear, 
golden  yellow;  petals  edged  with  rosy  crimson;  very  dis- 
tinct and  fine  tea-scented. 

Souvenir  de  Theresa  Level — Color  fine  scarlet,  shaded  darker; 
flowers  large  and  freely  produced;  a  charming  new  rose. 

Souvenir  d"un  Ami— FiwQ  delicate  rose,  shaded  with  salmon; 
very  large,  full  and  exquisitely  fragrant;  free  bloomer;  a 
rose  that  will  please  the  most  exacting. 

Sunset — A  beautiful,  highly-colored  rose  of  great  merit.  The 
color  is  a  rich,  tawny  shade  of  saffron  and  orange,  similar 
to,  but  deeper  than  the  coloring  of  Safrano  or  Md.  Talcot. 
In  size,  vigor  and  productiveness,  it  is  the  same  as  ''Perle 
des  Jardiues."  The  young  foliage  is  of  a  rich  crimson, 
which  contrasts  admirably  with  the  orange-tinted  safron 
flowers;  exquisitely  sweet  and  in  all  respects  a  superb  rose. 
See  figure. 


I06  THE   HOME   FLORIST, 


Sulphur eux — Sulphur  yellow,  medium  size;  fine  in  the  bud;  fra- 
grant and  profuse. 

Therese  Loth — Fine  carmine  red,  with  deep  rose  shading;  full  and 
very  sweet;  free  flowering;  a  good  sort. 

Triomphe  de  Milan— White,  sufTused  with  pale  yellow;  large, 
full,  well-shaped  flowers;  a  handsome  variety. 

Triomphe  du  Luxemhoiirg—Uosj  carmine,  finely  nerved  and 
shaded  with  salmon;  the  buds  are  very  handsome;  free  in 
growth  and  flower;  one  of  the  best  old  sorts. 

ZJrw'g^/e— White  ground  flamed  with  rose  and  purple;  a  beauti- 
fully colored  rose. 

Vallee  de  Chamounix — The  coloring  of  this  rose  is  simply  ex- 
quisite; the  base  and  back  of  petals  is  a  bright  yellow;  the 
centre  highly  colored  with  glowing  copper  and  rose. 

Vicomtesse  de  Cazes — An  exceedingly  lovely  rose,  very  sweet, 
very  free  flowering;  color  clear  copper  yellow  in  centre, 
changing  to  lighter  on  reverse  of  petals. 

White  Bon  Silene— This  is  a  sprout  from  the  old  Bon  Silene,  pos- 
sessing the  same  vigorous  growth,  the  same  free  flowering 
qualities,  and  as  hardy  in  constitution  as  the  parent.  The 
flowers  are  of  pearly  whiteness,  and  it  is  like  gilding  re- 
fined gold  to  say  more  in  its  favor  than  that  it  is  a  counter- 
part of  the  red  Bon  Silene.     See  figure. 

White  Catherine  ilferme^— Identical  with  "Catherine  Mermet," 
except  in  color,  which  is  of  a  pure  pearly  white;  excellent. 

White  Daily— Ture  white,  medium-sized  flowers,  which  are 
borne  in  great  profusion;  constant;  also  known  as  White 
Tea. 

Wliite  Tea—See  "White  Daily." 

William  Francis  Bennett — This  new  rose  is  expected  to  fill  a  long 
felt  want  by  taking  the  place  of  the  old  favorite,  "General 
Jacqueminot,"  which  rose  it  resembles  in  color,  being  a 
deep,  rich  crimson.  Its  bud  in  shape  is  long  and  slender, 
like  "Niphetos,"  its  size  that  of  "Marechal  Niel,"  its  fra- 
grance like  "La  Fiance,"  and  is  beyond  doubt  the  most  de- 
licious of  any  rose  extant.  In  the  superlative  sense  it  pos- 
sesses size,  color,  shape,  fragrance,  vigorous  growth  and 
freedom  in  blooming;  will  undoubtedly  become  popular. 

Yellow  Tea — See  "Flavescens," 


THE    HUME    FLORIST. 


107 


Noisette. 
NOISETTE  OR  EVER-BLOOMING  CLIMBERS. 

This  group  is  naturally  of  vigorous  growth,  nearly  hardy,  and 
produces  large  clusters  of  flowers  freely  throughout  the  summer 
and  autumn.     In  fact,  their  distinguishing  characteristic  is  their 


I08  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


cluster-blooming  habit;  in  a  mild  climate  they  become  magnifi- 
cent climbers;  nothing  can  be  finer  than  a  wall  covered  with  Lam- 

arque,  Solfaterre,  or  Cloth  of  Gold.   Those  in  the  South  and  Cali- 
fornia wishing  climbing  roses  should  plant  them  freely. 

Aimee  Vibert,  (Scandens) — Pure  white,  small,  double  flowers, 
produced  in  large  clusters;  nearly  hardy. 

America— FsiWJi  yellow,  changing  to  coppery  yellow;  large,  full 
flowers. 

Augusta—See  "Solfaterre." 

Beaute  de  V Europe — Deep  yellow,  reverse  of  petals,  coppery  yel- 
low, flowers  very  large,  full  and  well  made;  sujDerb. 

Beauty  of  Oreenmount — Rosy  red,  medium  size,  hardy  and  vig- 
orous. 

Belle  Lyonaise — Pale  lemon  yellow ;  large  globular  flowers,  very 
full;  a  fine  sort. 

Boquet  d'Or — Orange  yellow,  with  coppery  centre;  large,  full 
and  fine. 

Caroline  Marniesse—Creamj  white,  small  and  full;  hardy;  much 
esteemed. 

Car  ydne  Sclimitt — Blooms  in  clusters;  fiowers  full  and  regular, 
color  copper}^  rose,  passing  to  buff  and  white;  very  pretty 
and  fragrant. 

Celine  Forestier — Pale  yellow,  deepening  towards  the  centre; 
hardy;  one  of  the  finest  in  the  class. 

Chromatella—See  "Cloth  of  Gold." 

Claire  Car?io^— Buff  or  orange  yellow,  with  peach-blossom  cen- 
tre; delightful  tea  scent;  pretty  and  desirable. 

Climbing  Devoniensis — Same  as  tea  rose  "Devoniensis,"  except  of 
climbing,  vigorous  habit;  one  of  the  finest  of  the  class. 

Climbing  Hermosa—See  "Setina." 

Cloth  of  Gold — Deep  golden  yellow,  with  sulphur  edges;  large, 
full  flc":^'er;  a  grand  rose  for  the  South. 

Estella  Pradle — Lovely  pure  white  buds;  flowers  medium  size; 
full  and  sweet;  profuse  bloomer. 

Euphrosyne — Pale  yellow,  orange  tinge,  a  free  bloomer ;  good 
grower;  very  fine  sort. 

Fellemberg — Rosy  crimson;  strong,  vigorous  grower;  hardy. 

Oloire  de  Dijon — In  color  a  combination  of  rose,  salmon  and  yel- 
low; fiowers  very  large,  very  full;  good  globular  form;  a 
very  useful  rose. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  I09 

Isabella  Gray — Deep,  golden  yellow,  old  and  much  esteemed. 

James  Sprioit — Deep  velvety  crimson;  large  flowers,  full  and 
very  double;  a  grand  rose. 

Lamarque — White,  with  sulphur  centre;  sometimes  pure  white; 
very  large,  full  flowers,  fragrant,  and  makes  beautiful  buds; 
an  excellent  rose. 

Lily  Metschersky — Flowers  double  and  well  formed  ;  color  violet 
red;  vigorous  habit;  very  free  flowering;  a  charming  rose. 

Madame  Berard — A  first-class  variety ;  clear  salmon  pink,  beau- 
tifully shaded,  crimson  and  rose;  large,  finely-formed  buds 
and  flowers;  full  and  sweet. 

Madame  Celina  iVoire?/— Extra  large,  very  double,  full  and  sweet; 
color  soft,  rosy  blush,  beautifully  shaded  with  deep  red;  a 
splendid  sort. 

Madame  Louis  Henry — Pale,  silver  rose,  elegantly  shaded  with 
buff  and  salmon;  large  and  full;  very  fragrant. 

Mada^ne  Miolan  Carvallio — Deep,  sulphur  yellow,  large  and  full; 
very  double  and  sweet. 

Madame  Trifle — Fawn  and  yellow ;  very  large  and  full ;  a  good 
sort. 

Mareclial  Niel — One  of  the  largest,  most  beautiful  roses  grown; 
flowers  deep  golden  yellow,  very  large,  very  full,  globular 
form,  delightfully  fragrant;  the  finest  of  all  the  yellow 
roses.  The  buds  are  of  immense  size;  a  rose  of  great 
merit;  highly  esteemed. 

Marie  Levelley — Habit  extra  vigorous ;  flowers  large,  full  and  of 
fine  form;  color  vivid  rose,  shaded  and  lined  with  white;  a 
splendid  new  rose. 

Mush  Cluster — Creamy  white;  medium  size;  flowers  in  large  clus- 
ters, with  a  delicate  musk  flavor;  vigorous  grower;  excel- 
lent. 

Ophirie — Nasturtium  yellow,  suffused  with  coppery  red;  good 
size;  double;  a  very  distinct  sort. 

Phaloe — Soft,  creamy  white,  deepening  to  rosy  buff;  amber  cen- 
tre, very  fragrant;  large,  double  and  fine. 

Pumila — Salmon  rose,  tinged  with  coppery  red;  large,  full,  sweet 
and  very  free  bloomer. 

Reine Marie  Henriette— Flowers  large,  full  and  of  flne  form; 
color  beautiful  cherry  red;  a  pure  shado,  verj'  double,  very 
sweet;  an  extra  fine  sort;  sometimes  called  red  flowering 
"Gloire  de  Dijon." 


no  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Reve  d'Or—A  beautiful  pillar  rose,  being  a  strong  climber;  color 
orange  yellow  or  rosy  buff;  good  size,  full  and  sweet; 
known  also  as  "Golden  Chain." 

Setina—ldenticsd  with  Hermosa,  except  being  of  a  vigorous 
climbing  habit;  recommended . 

Solfaterre— Fine,  clear  sulphur  yellow;  large,  double,  full  and 
fragrant;  an  excellent  climbing  rose;  valuable. 

Stephanie  et  Rodolphe — Flowers  medium  size;  petals  prettily  im- 
bricated; full,  sweet,  color  orange  yellow,  flushed  with  rosy 
crimson. 

Therese  Genevay — A  lovely  rose,  beautifully  cupped  form,  full  and 
double;  very  fragrant;  color  peach  blossom  and  fawn, 
shaded  crimson. 

Triomphe  de  Rennes — Canary  yellow^,  the  centre  tinged  with  sal- 
mon; large,  full  and  good. 

W.  A.  Richardson — Branches  strong  and  spreading;  flowers  of 
good  size,  full,  of  fine  form;  color  orange  yellow;  a  new- 
shade  of  Noisettes. 

Washington — Medium  size,  pure  white;  blooms  in  large  clusters; 
strong  grower;  splendid. 

Woodland  Marguerite— Delicsite  pure  white,  sometimes  tinged 
with  flesh;  medium  size;  free  bloomer;  an  excellent  rose. 

HYBRID  TEA  ROSES. 

This  is  a  new  group,  produced  from  crossing  Teas  with  Hybrid 
Perpetuals.  It  is  yet  in  an  incipient  state.  Within  a  few  years 
there  will  doubtless  be  a  great  many  varieties  introduced.  No 
group  attracts  more  attention  than  this,  and  it  is  certainly  des- 
tined to  attain  great  popularity.  La  France,  the  oldest  variety  of 
the  class,  is  probably  more  highly-prized  by  connoiseurs  than 
any  other  rose,  and  though  none  of  the  new  varieties  in  this  divi- 
sion have  proved  her  equal,  there  will  yet  be  found  some  worthy 
companions  among  them.  They  are,  in  fact,  indispensable,  as 
neither  the  rosariannor  amateur  can  have  a  complete  collection 
without  them,  embracing  as  they  do  a  delicacy  of  color  and  per- 
fume found  in  no  others. 
Antoine  Verdier—A  beautiful  variety;  flowers  bright  silvery  rose, 

shaded  and  tinged  with  a  very  rich  carmine;  a  very  free 

bloomer . 


THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


Ill 


Hybrid   Tea  Rose. 

Antoine  Merniet — Very  large,  full  and  of  fine  shape;  the  color  is 

a  rich,  dark  carmine  pink,   slightly  shaded  with  pink;  an 

elegant  rose. 
Beauty  of  Stapleford  -  Deep  rosy  red,  centre  dark  purplish,  rose 

large  and  double,  very  handsomely  formed ;  a  richly-colored 

and  beautifully-shaped  flower. 
Camoens — Large  flower,  of  a  bright  silvery  pink  color,  shaded 

with  yellow;  a  very  profuse  bloomer;  superb. 


112  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

Cannes  La  Coquette — Very  large,  full  flowers  of  perfect  form;  a 
new  color,  reddish  salmon,  with  a  shade  of  brick  red. 

Clieshunt  Hybrid — Cherry  carmine  with  a  shade  of  violet;  flowers 
large,  full,  slightly  fragrant;  distinct  and  fine. 

Countess  of  Pembroke — Flowers  large  and  of  exquisite  form;  very 
full  and  highly  scented;  color  soft  satiny  pink,  elegantly 
shaded  with  rosy  peach;  very  sweet  and  distinct. 

Distinction  Mauve  color,  shadedwithreddish  amber;  very  pretty 
and  highly  scented. 

Duchess  of  Connaught — Large,  very  full  and  finely-formed;  color 
delicate  silvery  rose,  with  bright  salmon  centre;  a  charm- 
ing rose  of  excellent  quality;  highly-scented. 

Duchess  of  Westminster  -  Sa.tiny  pink,  shaded  with  rose,  some- 
times carmine  rose;  large,  full  flowers;  fragrant. 

Duke  of  Connaught  Rosy  crimson,  large,  full,  well  formed;  has 
charming  buds;  a  fine  rose. 

Hon.  George  Bancroft — Flowers  very  large,  full  and  regular;  color 
bright  rosy  crimson,  elegantly  tinged  and  shaded  violet 
very  beautiful. 

Julius  Finger— Salmon  pink,  large  and  full  form  and  habit  per- 
fect; a  magnificent  variety. 

La  France— One  of  the  most  beautiful  of  all  roses,  and  is  un- 
equaled  by  any  in  its  delicious  fragrance;  very  large,  very 
double  and  superbly  formed.  It  is  difficult  to  convey  an 
idea  of  its  beautiful  coloring,  but  the  prevailing  color  is 
light  silvery  pink,  shaded  with  silvery  peach.  It  flowers 
continuously  throughout  the  season,  often  blooming  so 
freely  as  to  check  the  growth  of  the  plant,  in  which  case  a 
portion  of  the  buds  should  be  removed;  stands  first  among 
the  roses  of  our  climate. 

Lady  Mary  Fitzicilliams — Flowers  extra  large  and  globular;  quite 
full  and  regular;  very  fragrant  and  beautiful:  color  delicate 
flesh,  elegantly  tinged  with  amber. 

Madame  Alexandre  Bernaix— Salmon  rose,  edged  with  blush;  full 
globular  form;  fragrant;  very  beautiful. 

Madame  Etienne  Levet— Cherry  red,  with  a  copperv  shade;  a  good 
clear  color,  well-shaped  buds,  freely  produced;  agreeably 
perfumed. 

Madam  Julie  Weidman— Flowers  extra  large;  color  clear  silvery 
rose,  tinged  with  coppery  yellow,  reverse  of  petals;  violet 
crimson ;  a  beautiful  rose. 


THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


113 


La   France. 

Mademoiselle  Brigitte    Violet — Pale   rose    shaded    with    violet; 

flowers  large  and  full;  a  pleasing  sort. 
Michael  Saunders — Rose,  shaded  with  coppery  red;  medium  size; 

very    full,    finely  formed;   fragrant;    a   very  distinct   and 

pleasing  sort. 
Nancy  Lee — Satiny  rose,  of  a  very  delicate  and  lovely  shade; 

beautiful  buds,  of  medium  size  and  highly  perfumed;  a  v^ry 

beautiful  rose. 
Pearl — Rosy  flesh,  medium  size,  full;  has  very  jiretty  buds:  in 

every  respect  an  elegant  sort. 
Pierre  Guillot— Bright,    dazzling    crimson;   flowers   large,    very 

double  and  sweet;  a  charmino-  variety. 


114  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

TriompJie  cV Angers— 'Bright,  fiery  red,  changing  to  darkest  vel- 
vety crimson,  tinged  with  purple;  large,  full  flowers;  dou- 
ble and  extremely  fragrant. 

Viscountess  Falmouth — Bright,  shining  rose;  back  of  petals 
bright  carmine;  flowers  extra  large  and  full;  of  splendid 
form;  very  distinct  and  beautiful. 

POLYANTHA   ROSES. 

A  delightfully  unique  class  of  Roses.  The  original  Polyantha 
Rose  is  a  hardy  Japanese  species  with  single  flowers,  and  blooms 
only  in  the  spring.  Its  seedlings  however,  have  shown  a  remark- 
able tendency  to  vary  from  the  character  of  the  parent,  and 
among  them  are  the  kinds  described  below,  which  produce  dou- 
ble flowers  and  bloom  continuously  from  early  sj)ring  until  win- 
ter. In  habit  they  are  most  peculiarly  distinct,  being  the  dwarf- 
est  of  all  roses,  with  graceful,  slender  branches  and  delicate  fol- 
iage. They  might  be  called  Fairy  Roses,  with  their  miniature 
and  beautiful-shaped  flowers,  M'hich  are  borne  in  immense  pani- 
cles or  clusters,  elevated  considerably  above  the  foliage.  It  is 
not  unusual  for  one  shoot  to  bear  dozens  of  flowers;  altogether 
a  new  departure  among  Roses  and  an  invaluable  one.  They  will 
no  doubt  prove  to  be  comparatively  hardy  in  nearly  every  section 
of  the  country. 

Anne  Marie  de  Montr avel — A  beautiful,  pure  white,  fairy-Hke 
rose,  very  double,  perfect  flowers,  about  the  size  of  a  25- 
cent  piece;  delightfully  sweet-scented  and  borne  in  such 
large  clusters  that  the  plant  frequently  seems  to  be  a  mass 
of  flowers.  It  blooms  profusely  from  early  summer  until 
late  fall. 

Mademoiselle  Cecile  Brunner — One  of  the  most  beautiful  and 
lovely  in  the  class.  The  flowers  are  salmon  pink,  with  deep 
Salmon  centre,  borne  in  large  clusters  and  deliciouslv  per- 
fumed; an  exquisite  miniature  rose  for  floral  work,  bou- 
quets, etc. ;  a  vigorous  grower  and  a  constant  and  profuse 
bloomer;  splendid  bedder. 

Mignonette— One  of  the  most  lovely  and  beautiful  miniature 
roses;  the  flowers  are  full  and  regular,  perfectly  double, 
borne  in  large  clusters,  and  deliciously  perfumed;  color 
clear  pink,  changing  to  white,  tinged  with  pale  rose;  it  is  a 
vigorous  grower,  and  a  constant  and  profuse  bloomer.   We 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


115 


V^"^xV<J?^^^^^5^«^^''   !^'^S5SSSS5iS^^^^^~«Ss\-*'SSS^^^ 


Polyantha  Rose, 


Il6  THE  HOME   FLORIST. 


have  seen  as  many  as  150  flowers  on  this  variety  at  one 
time.  It  has  also  survived  a  temperature  of  20  degrees  be- 
low zero  without  any  protection. 

Paquerette — We  consider  this  variety  the  best  of  all  the  Poly- 
antha  Eoses.  The  flowers  are  pure  white,  about  one  inch 
in  diameter,  flowering  in  clusters  of  from  five  to  fifty 
blooms;  very  full,  prettily  formed,  recalling  blossoms  of 
the  double  flowering  cherry,  and  f ullj'^  equals  the  double 
white  Primrose  in  profuse  blooming  during  the  winter.  It 
has  a  peculiarly  delicious  perfume  that  is  exquisite;  alto- 
gether a  rose  of  charming  beauty  and  great  merit. 

Perle  cVOr — This  is  a  new  and  striking  rose,  similar  in  character 
and  habit  of  growth  to  Anne  Marie  de  Montravel.  The 
flowers,  however,  are  larger,  and  if  possible  produced  in 
still  greater  number  than  those  of  that  valuable  variety,but 
the  great  difference  lies  in  the  color,  which  is  a  beautiful 
light  canary  yellow,  deeper  in  the  centre,  with  small,  white 
edge;  blooms  in  clusters,  numbering  often  sixty  to  sixty- 
five  flowers  each;  medium  size,  of  fine  form  and  texture; 
petals  are  slightly  imbricated  and  overlap  each  other,  giv- 
ing the  flower  a  very  double  appearance;  growth  bushy, 
rarely  attaining  over  fifteen  inches  in  height;  regarded  as 
one  of  the  finest,  most  distinct  and  valuable  of  the  class. 

CULTIVATION  AND  MANAGEMENT. 

The  Garden. — Roses,  to  be  most  effective,  should  be  planted 
in  a  bed  by  themselves,  where  it  is  possible  to  do  so.  A  dozen 
Roses  scattered  about  the  garden  lose  their  individuality,  and  are 
not  nearly  so  attractive  as  when  planted  in  masses  of  any  shape 
the  grounds  may  allow  or  fancy  suggest.  Any  fair,  w^ell-drained 
garden  soil  w411  answer  for  them,  although  where  a  choice  can  be 
had,  a  loamy  clay  is  preferable;  but  "whatever  its  character  may 
bo,  to  attain  anything  like  perfection  in  their  culture  it  should  be 
dug  two  spades  deep  and  have  plenty  of  rotted  stable  manure 
thoroughly  incorporated  with  it.  During  summer  the  surface 
of  the  soil  should  be  kept  loose  by  cultivation.  In  planting  the 
hardy  varieties,  including  Hybrid  Perpetuals,  which  are  to  re- 
main permanently  in  the  beds,  do  not  plant  so  close  that  they 
will  become  crowded  aftei'  attaining  to  some  size;  three  to  four 
feet  is  about  right  for  this  division,  although  the  tender  sorts  will 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  11/ 

do  some  nearer,  Roses  will  not  thrive  in  a  situation  much  shaded 
and  like  many  other  plants  they  do  better  if  not  exposed  to 
sweeping  winds. 

Pruning". — Usually  the  most  pleasing  form  for  the  Rose  is  a 
symmetrical,  bushy  one,  and  this  can  be  produced  by  judi- 
cious pruning.  The  proper  time  to  prune  those  that  are  entire]}^ 
hardy  is  late  in  the  fall,  while  the  varieties  that  are  liable 
to  be  frozen  back  in  winter  should  have  the  operation  deferred 
until  early  spring.  All  strong  shoots  of  the  last  season's  growth 
should  be  cut  back  to  three  or  four  eyes,  making  the  cut  with  an 
upward  slope  from  directly  above  an  eye;  weak  growths  should 
be  entirely  removed.  This  treatment  will  cause  a  vigorous 
growth  of  young  w^ood,  and  tends  to  increase  the  size  and  beauty 
of  the  flowers.  In  pruning  climbing  Roses,  only  such  shoots  as 
may  appear  superfluous,  and  all  old  wood  that  can  be  si^ared, 
should  be  cut  away.  The  varieties  of  the  tender  division,  the 
growth  of  which  is  almost  continual,  require  pinching  back  of 
the  strongest  new  shoots  during  the  season  to  keep  the  plants 
shapely,  and  all  branches  after  flowering  should  be  cut  back  suf- 
ficir'ntly  to  induce  from  three  or  four  new  flowering  shoots  to 
start  into  growth  from  the  buds  which  remain. 

Insects  Injurious  to  Roses. — The  most  troublesome  in- 
sect enemies  of  the  hardy  Roses  are  the  Rose  Saw-fly,  especially  in 
its  caterpillar  state  —then  known  as  the  Rose  Slug — and  the  Rose 
Chafer^  or  Bug.  As  the  depredations  of  each  of  these  sometimes 
assume  a  serious  form,  I  will  endeavor  to  describe  them  so  that 
they  may  be  known  at  their  first  appearance,  and  proper  reme- 
dies be  applied  in  time  to  check  their  ravages.  During  the  last 
two  weeks  of  May,  and  until  the  middle  of  June,  the  Rose  Saw- 
flies  make  their  appearance  upon  the  plants,  pair  and  lay  their 
eggs  in  the  incisions  made  with  their  saws  in  the  leaves.  They 
are  of  a  shiny  black  color,  about  one-fifth  of  an  inch  long,  and 
will  be  found  mostly  on  the  under  side  of  the  leaves,  or  flying 
around  from  bush  to  bush.  The  first  young  slugs  hatch  out  in  a 
few  weeks  after  the  flies  appear,  usually  showing  themselves 
about  June  1st,  and  increasing  in  number  during  the  month. 
These  are  of  a  pale  green  color  and  have  an  almost  transparent, 
jelly-like  appearance.  They  feed  upon  the  leaves,  which  soon 
look  as  if  they  had  been  burned,  and  drop  if  the  slugs  are  not  de- 
stroyed. Dry  slacked  lime  scattered  over  the  leaves  while  wet 
with  dew  is  the  most  convenient  remedy  for  destroving  them, 


Il8  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


and  will  of  ten  prove  effectual ;  but  a  more  destructive  one  may 
be  had  in  frequently  syringing  the  plant  with  whale  oil  soap  dis- 
solved in  water  in  the  proj^ortion  of  one  pound  to  eight  gallons 
of  water.  Many  of  the  female  insects  in  their  beetle  state — being 
more  sluggish  than  the  males — can  be  destroyed  with  this  solution 
if  thoroughly  applied  by  sprinkling  or  with  a  syringe  every  day 
as  they  first  appear.  No  pains  should  be  spared  to  lessen  the  num- 
ber as  much  as  possible  by  this  means.  The  Rose  Chafer  is  a 
small  insect  with  a  slender  body,  which  tapers  before  and  behind, 
measuring  near  three-eighths  of  an  inch  in  length,  and  entirely 
covered  with  ashen-yellow  down.  They  usually  appear  towards 
the  middle  of  June,  sometimes  in  large  numbers,  and  remain 
from  four  to  six  weeks,  also  feeding  on  some  other  plants  beside 
the  Rose.  The  usually  efficacious  remedies  employed  in  destroy- 
ing other  insects,  scarcely  effect  these  at  all;  and  about  the  only 
way  of  destroying  them  is  to  pass  over  the  plants  daily,  shake  or 
brush  them  into  tin  vessels  containing  water,  or  they  may  be 
gathered  on  sheets  and  burned.  Red  Spider  and  Green-fly  are  the 
most  common  insects  met  with  in  cultivating  Roses  in  the  win- 
dow and  conservatory,  and  directions  are  given  for  preventing 
and  destroying  these  in  the  articles  on  "The  Amateur's  Conserv- 
atory," and  "Plant  Culture  in  and  about  the  House.*' 

Mildew  and  Rust,— Mildew  is  a  fungoid  growth  which 
shows  itself  upon  the  leaves  and  small  twigs  of  Roses  and  other 
plants,  both  indoors  and  out  at  times.  It  has  a  gray,  mold-like 
appearance,  and  seems  to  be  invited  hj  anything  that  causes  the 
growth  of  the  plant  to  be  suddenly  checked.  Roses  making  a 
vigorous  growth  in  the  window  or  conservatory,  if  exposed  to  a 
strong  draft  of  cold  air  from  the  outside,  will  frequently  be  trou- 
bled with  mildew,  or  by  allowing  the  soil  to  become  dry  enough 
to  cause  the  leaves  to  droop  generally  affects  them  similarly.  In 
Rose  culture  all  such  unfavorable  causes  must  be  strictly  guarded 
against.  The  ordinary  agent,  and  undoubtedly  the  best,  for  erad- 
icating and  also  preventing  mddew  is  flour  of  sulphur,  which 
may  be  apphed  by  dusting  it  upon  the  leaves  after  wetting 
down  the  foliage,  every  few  days,  until  it  is  no  more  to  be  seen. 
Rust  frequently  troubles  Roses  in  the  garden  by  aj^pearing  upon 
the  leaves.  The  best  way  to  deal  with  it  is  to  cut  off  and  burn 
the  infected  branches,  although  if  badly  affected  it  may  necessi- 
tate the  sacrifice  of  the  greater  part  of  the  plant. 


THE  HOME  FLORIST.  II9 

Protection  During-  Winter. — "Wherever  it  is  possible,  by 
means  of  protection,  to  keep  Roses  in  the  open  ground  during 
winter,  I  advocate  the  plan  of  so  doing.  There  will  be  little  use 
of  attempting  to  winter  any  but  the  most  robust  varieties,  how- 
ever, unless  the  ground  is  thoroughly  drained,  and  when  the  ros- 
ary is  in  such  condition,  little  loss  need  occur  in  leaving  out  many 
of  the  tender  varieties,  if  well  protected.  One  of  the  best  ways 
of  protecting  tender  kinds,  is  to  bend  the  plant  to  the  ground 
and  completely  cover  with  fine  soil  from  six  to  ten  inches  deep. 
If  the  Eoses  are  in  a  bed,  the  plants  should  all  be  bent  in  one 
direction,  and  the  entire  bed  covered  to  the  same  depth.  Another 
good  way  is  to  remove  the  top  and  bottom  from  a  barrel  or  box, 
and  placing  it  over  the  plant,  fill  loosely  w^ith  leaves  or  straw.  An 
amateur  cultivator  in  Pennsylvania  informs  me  that  she  succeeds 
in  wintering  tender  Roses  by  laying  them  flat  on  the  ground  and 
covering  them  with  a  board.  Where  the  winters  are  very  severe 
and  it  is  not  considered  desirable  to  risk  tender  kinds  out  of  doors, 
they  may  be  carefully  taken  up,  pruned  slightly,  and  placed  in  a 
cold  pit  until  spring.  By  admitting  an  abundance  of  air  in  sunny 
spring  days  and  warm  weather  they  may  be  planted  into  the  beds 
again  by  May  1st  in  this  latitude.  They  should  however,  be 
pruned  again  before  planting  out . 

In  cut  on  next  page,  taken  from  the  Rural  New  Yorker,  is  shown 
a  new  method  of  treating  tender  and  half-hardy  roses  and  other 
plants,  lately  described  in  that  excellent  paper,  and  which  enables 
the  owner  to  remove  them  easily  to  a  place  of  safety  in  the  iall^nd 
replant  them  in  the  spring,  with  but  very  little  disturbance  of  the 
roots.  For  roses,  take  an  ordinary  12-inch  pot  and  drill  or  bore 
a  number  of  holes  one  inch  in  diameter  through  the  sides,  as 
shown  at  Fig.  1.  The  pots  would  be  better  if  originally  made 
with  these  holes,  and  the  sides  of  the  pots  all  about  them  thicken- 
ed, as  shown  in  the  cut;  this  thickening  would  add  greatly  to  the 
strength  of  the  pot.  The  bush  is  to  be  planted  in  the  pot,  using 
good  rich  soil  for  the  purpose.  The  rose  grounds  should  be  made 
very  rich  with  well-rotted  manure,  and  a  liberal  use  of  charcoal- 
dust  adds  much  to  the  health  of  plants  and  beauty  of  the  flowers. 
At  the  proper  season  set  the  pot  and  plant  in  place  where  desired, 
as  sh(,wn  at  3;  this  puts  the  pot  entirely  beneath  the  surface  and 
out  of  sight,  which,  in  ornamental  grounds,  is  very  desirable.  As 
the  growth  progresses,  the  roots  emerge  from  the  pot  in  all  direc- 
tions, penetrating  the  soil,  and  the  bush  grows  as  vigorously  as 


I20 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


A  New  Method  of  Planting. 

though  planted  in  the  open  soil.  After  severe  freezing  in  the  fall, 
the  pot  and  plant  are  raised,  those  roots  within  the  pot  being,  of 
course,  entirely  undisturbed,  and  can  be  stored  in  a  cold  cellar  or 
other  convenient  place  where,  entirely  protected  from  the  sun's 
rays,  and  from  too  severe  freezing,  the  j)ot  and  protruding  roots 
should  be  covered  with  damp  sand  or  earth.  Fig.  2  shows  the 
plant  ready  for  replanting,  with  roots  and  top  cut  back,  as  should 
be  done  each  spring,  and  then  planted  out  as  before  as  soon  as 
danger  of  severe  freezijig  is  passed.  The  grounds  should  be  en- 
riched each  year,  and  being  very  rich,  the  plant  at  once  com- 
mences a  rapid  growth,  which  is  essential  to  an  abundant  bloom. 
Each  succeeding  fall  it  is  to  be  taken  up  and  treated  in  the  same 
way,  and  can  be  kept  many  years  in  good  health  and  vigor.  In 
place  of  the  pot,  any  wooden  box,  having  numerous  holes  in  its 
sides  may  be  used,  but,  of  course,  it  is  not  nearly  as  durable  or 
desirable,  for  in  the  damp,  warm  soil,  it  decays  rapidly,  and  is 
liable  to  become  full  of  insects. 

Most  varieties  of  Hybrid  Perpetual  Roses  will  survive  the  cold- 
est winters  unprotected,  if  growing  on  dramed  ground.  It  is, 
however,  a  wise  policy,  to  cover  all  the  plants  with  straw  late  in 
autumn,  as  this  is  but  little  trouble,  and  they  generally  flo%yer 
better,  while  they  are  sure  to  winter  safely  with  such  treatment. 
This  may  be  done  by  driving  a  stake  firmly  into  the  ground  to 
eacli  plant,  and  tying  it  nicely  and  rather  close  to  it;  then  some 
straightened  straw   is  placed  around   the  entire  length   of  the 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  12  I 


plant-  -it  need  not  be  very  thick—completing  the  operation  by 
binding  twine  or  straw  bands  around  the  whole  in  several  places 
throughout  its  length.  An  application  of  stable  manure  or  leaves 
around  the  base  of  the  plant  will  afford  all  needed  protection  to 
the  roots.  All  roses,  including  the  most  tender  kinds,  will  stand 
some  freezing  without  injury,  and  it  is  as  well  to  defer  j)rotecting 
them  until  quite  late  in  the  fall,  say  in  November.  In  the  spring, 
as  soon  as  the  frost  is  out  of  the  ground  and  growing  weather  is 
at  hand,  all  protection  should  be  removed. 

Roses  for  Pot  Culture  aud  Winter  Blooming-.— The 
tender  monthly  roses  are  nearly  all  suitable  for  pot  culture  and 
winter  flowering,  the  Tea-scented  section,  with  its  unapproacha- 
ble bud  varieties,  being  usually  preferred.  Plants  designed  for 
winter  blooming  should  be  grown  in  pots  during  the  previous 
summer.  These  should  be  plunged  to  the  rim  in  earth  or  coal 
ashes,  in  order  to  prevent  their  drying  out.  Roses  under  any  cir- 
cumstances are  quite  susceptible  of  being  injured  by  becoming 
too  dry,  and  the  condition  should  always  be  guarded  against  in 
pot  culture.  In  the  remarks  on  page  3l,  entitled  "Preparatory 
Treatment  of  Plants  designed  for  Winter  Flowering,"  directions 
are  given  which  apply  to  summer  treatment  of  roses  grown  in 
pots  for  this  purpose.  In  August  the  plants  should  be  shifted  into 
larger-sized  pots,  or  planting  them  into  a  box  will  answer  quite 
as  well.  If  they  are  to  be  grown  in  the  window,  they  should 
now  be  gradually  inured  to  the  changed  light  and  heat  by  keep- 
ing them  in  confinement  only  a  part  of  the  day,  in  the  interven- 
ing time  giving  them  an  airy  exposure  under  the  piazza  or  at  the 
side  of  the  house,  lessening  this  by  degrees  as  the  season  ad- 
vances. If  to  be  forced  in  the  conservatory,  this  means  of  accli- 
mation is  unnecessary,  provided  plenty  of  air  is  allowed  to  circu- 
late through  the  structure  after  they  have  been  taken  in.  Their 
winter  position  should  be  as  much  exposed  to  sun  as  possible,  and 
the  temperature  kept  at  between  55°  and  60°  at  night,  with  an  in- 
crease of  15°  higher  during  the  day.  Syringe  the  plants  fre- 
quently and  never  allow  them  to  suffer  from  dryness  at  the  roots. 

Before  dismissing  this  subject,  I  will  explain  how,  by  means  of 
a  cool  greenhouse  or  a  cold  pit,  the  Hybrid  Perpetual  and  many 
other  hardy  roses,  besides  all  tender  ones,  may  be  taken  up  and 
made  to  do  a  kind  of  double  duty,  safely,  and  with  little  trouble, 
by  flowering  profusely  in  the  house  or  conservator}^  in  March  or 
later,  and  after  being  returned  to  the  garden  thrive  there  as 


122  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

usual.  For  this  purpose  any  of  the  plants  growing  and  flowering 
during  summer  are  suitable  without  extra  treatment.  Dig  them 
carefully  late  in  October  in  this  latitude,  and  prune  away  the  old 
straggling  wood  and  superfluous  shoots,  cutting  the  remaining 
shoots  back  to  several  eyes;  then  pot  into  good  fresh  soil,  one- 
third  part  of  which  should  consist  of  well-rotted  manure,  press- 
ing it  down  very  firmly  and  give  them  a  thorough  watering.  After 
this  place  the  potted  roses  in  a  cool  greenhouse  or  cold  jDit,  where 
they  are  to  remain  until  the  middle  of  January  and  later  for  a 
succession.  In  bringing  them  in  from  the  cold  pit  to  the  window 
or  conservatory  for  flowering,  do  not  place  in  too  high  a  tempera- 
ture at  once.  A  situation  indicating  40°  or  45°  will  answer  for 
them  at  first,  and  from  this  they  might  gradually  be  changed  to 
a  temperature  of  from  50°  to  60°  at  night,  and  receive  treatment 
as  directed  for  winter  blooming  plants.  Contrary  to  what  might 
be  supposed,  thus  forcing  roses  late  in  the  winter  does  not  materi- 
ally injure  the  usefulness  of  the  plants,  for  by  planting  them  out 
again  in  May,  the  monthly  varieties  will  flower  considerable,  and 
all  will  regain  their  usual  vigor  in  time. 


DESCRIPTION   OF 

ORNAMENTAL  AND  FLOWERING  PLANTS 

WITH  CULTURAL  DIRECTIONS. 

Plants  that  are  grown  for  ornament,  as  well  as  others,  are  clas- 
sified according  to  their  habits,  means  of  reproduction,  time  of 
flowerir.g  and  maturity,  etc.,  into  a  number  of  divisions,  as 
name^i  and  described  herewith. 

ANNUALS. 

All  those  plants  that  flower  the  flrst  year  from  seed,  and,  after 
yielding  a  new  crop  of  seed,  die,  root  and  all,  are  called  Annuals. 
These  are  sub-divided  into  several  kinds,  such  as  Hardy,  Half- 
Hardy  and  Tender  Annuals. 

Hardy  Annuals  are  those  that  readily  germinate  and  make 
their  growth  to  full  maturity  in  the  open  air,  without  the  aid  of 
artificial  heat,  such  as  Sweet  Pea,  Nemophila,  Candytuft,  etc. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  1 23 

Half  Hardy  and  Tender  Annuals  differ  from  the  Hardy  An- 
nuals in  being  more  tender,  on  which  account  most  of  them 
should  receive  the  assistance  of  artificial  heat  and  protection 
during  germination  and  in  the  early  stages  of  their  growth,  al- 
though nearly  all  flower  w^ell  later  in  the  season  if  the  seeds  are 
sown  in  the  open  ground  after  all  danger  of  frost  to  the  young 
seedling  is  over.  The  Portulaca,  Phlox  Drummondi,  Marigold, 
etc.,  belong  to  this  division. 

BIENIS^IALS 

flower  the  second  and  sometimes  the  third  year  after  sowing, 
then  ripen  their  seed  and  die,  root  and  all. 

perex:n^ials 

live  and  blossom  from  year  to  year,  and,  although  some  seed  free- 
ly, many  do  not,  and  are  best  increased  by  layers,  cuttings,  sep- 
aration of  the  roots,  etc.  This  division  is  sub-divided  into  Hardy 
Herbaceous  Perennials,  and,  in  our  latitude,  Tender  or  Green- 
house Perennials,  each  of  which  include  some  Bulbous  and 
Tuberous  plants. 

Hardy  Herbaceous  Perennials  are  plants  like  the  Pseonies, Hardy 
Phlox,  Hyacinths,  Lilies,  Lychnis,  etc.,  whose  roots  continue  to 
live  year  after  year,  although  the  growth  above  ground  dies  an- 
nually, either  soon  after  flowering  or  in  the  fall.  Most  of  these 
kinds  are  propagated  by  division  of  the  roots,  which  may  be 
taken  up  for  this  purpose  every  few  years.  Many  can  also  be  in- 
creased from  seed,  others  by  layering. 

Tender  or  Greenhouse  Perennials  for  the  most  part  consist  of 
plants  whose  entire  growth,  both  plant  and  root,  is  continual,  and 
which  are,  with  few  exceptions,  increased  by  slips  or  cuttings 
taken  from  growing  plants.  These  plants  are  usually  reared  in 
pots,  and  belong  to  a  division  that,  to  some  extent,  is  old  and 
well  known.  The  common  monthly  Rose,  Rose,  Fish  and  Horse- 
shoe Geraniums,  the  Lady's  Ear-Drop,  Snake  and  other  Cactus, 
Oleanders,  Rosemary,  etc.,  which  all  of  us  have  been  familiar 
with  from  infancy,  almost,  belong  to  this  division,  while  many 
varieties  and  kinds,  quite  as  easy  of  cultivation,  and  greatly  im- 
proved, which  have  come  into  general  use  only  within  late  years 
are  still  comparatively  unknown,  and  receive  little  attention,  ex- 
cept from  professional  florists,  and  the  more  enthusiastic  ama- 
teurs.   To  this  class  of  plants  we  are  indebted  for  many  of  our 


124  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

choicest  floral  gems,  either  for  cultivation  in  the  house,  conser^^a- 
tory  or  garden.  Frequently  members  of  the  same  botanical  genus 
vary  so  much  as  to  be  properly  arranged  in  several  of  the  above 
divisions.  This  is  the  case  with  the  Phlox,  some  species  of  vrhich 
are  Hardy  Annuals,  and  other  Hardy  Herbaceous  Perennials; 
also  with  the  flowering  Pea  and  others. 

Comparative  Value. — In  this  connection  it  may  be  well  to 
consider  the  comparative  value  and  cost  of  various  kinds  of 
flowers,  presuming  that  the  reader  who  purchases  stock,  desires 
to  make  the  best  investment  with  any  money  to  be  expended. 
Although  the  prices  of  individual  pot  and  other  plants  range 
higher  than  those  of  single  packets  of  flower  seeds,  it  should  be 
remembered  that  the  former  are  always  of  considerable,  often  of 
a  flowering,  size  when  purchased,  while  plants  still  require  to  be 
reared  from  the  latter;  then,  again,  when  once  a  plant  is  pur- 
chased it  can  be  increased  by  cuttings,  divisions,  etc.,  to  any  de- 
sired extent,  and  the  quality  of  the  variety  is  never  materially 
impaired,  because  each  plant  propagated  is  part  of  the  parent, 
with  a  root  of  its  own.  With  seeds  it  is  different;  every  experi- 
enced amateur  knows  that  it  is  next  to  impossible  to  keep  up  a 
superior  strain  or  variety  with  seed  unless  this  is  saved  from 
plants  grown  isolated,  after  the  manner  practiced  by  regular 
seed  growers.  The  trouble  is  they  are  apt  to  mix  and  deteriorate 
which  may  necessitate  the  purchase  of  the  same  kind  each  spring 
if  it  is  considered  desirable  to  keep  up  the  stock  very  pure. 
Should  this  be  necessary  however,  with  varieties  that  cannot  be 
saved  pure,  the  outlay  to  procure  superior  new  seed  need  not  be 
large  each  year,  and  it  should  be  remembered  that  many  of  the 
better  annuals  and  other  seed-grown  plants  can  be  used  with  un- 
equaled  effect  in  producing  display  in  the  house  or  about  the 
grounds. 

In  the  descriptions  which  follow,  the  division  to  which  ( ach 
sort  belongs  is  named  in  the  parenthesis  following  the  name  of 
the  kind.  For  an  explanation  of  the  figures  and  degrees  which 
follow  the  name  of  Greenhouse  Perennials,  for  instance  ABUTI- 
LON,  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45.  85°),  see  "Temperature," 
etc.,  page  44. 

ABELIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  32,  45,  85°). 

A  genus  of  greenhouse  slirubs  from  Japan;  they  are  of  slender 
branching  habit,  very  attractive  and  pleasing;  of  easy  culture. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


125 


Abutilon. 

A.  Rupestris — Is  of  dwarf  habit  and  flowers  profusely  in  autumn 
or  winter;  the  flowers  are  produced  in  compact  clusters, 
white,  and  of  exquisite  fragrance;  propagated  from  cut- 
tings. 


ABUTILON  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33, 45,  85°). 

A  genus  of  plants  noted  variously  for  their  peculiar  bell- 
shaped  flowers  of  different  colors,  for  the  variegated  foliage  of 
some  varieties,  and  for  the  fine  drooping  habit  of  others;  all  are 
suitable  for  culture  in  pots  in  the  house  and  conservatory,  some 
for  bedding  and  others  for  planting  in  vases  and  hanging  baskets, 
while  there  is  not  a  delicate  or  feeble  growing  variety  among 
them;  when  bedded  out  in  the  summer  they  can  be  taken  up 
about  September  1st  and  potted  for  winter  decoration  as  readily 
as  the  average  of  plants;  all  should  receive  an  occasional  prun- 
ing; propagated  from  cuttings  or  seed. 


126  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


^4.  Mesopotamiciim,  has  calyx  of  the  flower  scarlet;  petals  yel- 
low; of  straggling,  slender  growth;  excellent  for  training 
to  a  stake  or  trellis. 

A.  Mesopotamiciim  pictum—A  new  variety,  and  one  of  the  finest 
drooping  plants  for  planting  at  the  edge  of  baskets  and 
vases,  or  for  pot  culture;  the  leaves  are  narrow,  of  beautiful 
shape  and  rather  small,  and  are  richly  variegated  with 
golden  yellow  on  green,  which  renders  the  plant  exceed- 
ingly valuable  for  contrasting  with  other  drooping  plants. 

A.  Thompsonii — The  leaves  are  distinctly  variegated  and  marbled 
with  bright  yellow  on  dark  green  ground.  This  variety  is 
one  of  the  best  bedding  and  also  pot  plants  for  inside  cul- 
tivation; it  grows  vigorously  when  planted  out  and  the  dis- 
tinctness of  its  leaf  markings. 

A.  santaiia  —Purplish  crimson  flowers  ;  one  of  the  best  old  sorts. 

A.  Royal  Scarlet— Yery  dwarf  and  the  darkest  colored  sort 
grown. 

A.   Yelloio  Prince — One  of  the  newest  dwarf;  bright  yollow. 

A.  Prince  of  Heilhron — Variegated  foliage,  J  ike  Thompsonii,  but 
is  much  better  in  its  markings. 

A.  A7'thur  Belsha^n — Clear  crimson  without  markings;  the  best  of 
its  color. 

A.  Ed.  Layeillon — Dwarf  grower;  a  splendid  bedder,  with  bright 
golden  yellow  flowers. 

A.  Standard — Dwarf  habit;  flowers  light  purplish  red;  large  size, 
being  more  expanded  than  in  other  sorts. 

A.  Robert  George — This  is  an  elegant  sort,  both  as  to  habit  and 
blooming  qualities,  being  upright;  moderately  dwarf,  pro- 
ducing flowers  of  orange,  veined  with  crimson  in  great  pro- 
fusion. 

A.  Snow  Storm — A  dwarf -growing  variety,  producing  pure  white 
flowers;  a  splendid  winter  blooming  variety. 

A.  Thompsonii  plena — This  new  variety  has  perfectly  double 
flowers  that  resemble  inform  a  double  hollyhock;  color  rich 
deep  orange,  shaded  and  streaked  with  crimson;  it  is  a 
sport  from  A.  Thompsonii,  and  still  retains  the  beautifully 
mottled  yellow  and  green  foliage  of  that  variety. 

ACALYPHA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  60,  95^). 

Handsome  greenhouse  shrubs  with  beautiful  foliage,  being  used 
more  each  year  for  bedding  purposes;  propagated  from  cuttings. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  12/ 

A.  tricolor — Has  variegated  foliage  of  green,  copper-colored  and 

red,  irregularly  mottled  and  blotched. 
A.  tnarginati — Very  pretty  bronze-colored  leaf  with  distinct  edge 

of  pink  or  red;  very  pretty. 

ACHANIA  {Greenliouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  85"). 

A  shrub  that  blooms  both  summer  and  winter  ;  not  subject  to 
insects  of  any  kind  ;  one  of  the  most  satisfactory  house  plants 
grown  ;  are  propagated  from  cuttings. 

A.   nialvavisctis—Is  remarkable  for  the  beauty    of    its    scarlet 
flowers  and  beautiful  green  leaves. 

ACHILLEA  {Hardy  Perennial). 

A  genus  of  hardy  plants,  partly  natives,   several  of  which  pro- 
duce attractive  flowers  during   the  summer  months;  they   will 
thrive  in  any  soil;  they  are  increased  by  division  of  the  roots. 
A.  ageratum — Has  golden  yellow  flowers. 
A.  millefolium — Is  a  pretty  rose-colored  variety. 
A.  ptarmica  fl.  pi. — Produces  do-uble  pure  white  flowers;  is  de- 
sirable ui  every  collection.     It  continues  to  bloom  most  of 
the  season,  throwing  up  a  succession   of    its   pretty  little 
flowers,  in  corymbs,  on  stems  about  one  foot  high.     The 
foliage  is  narrow  and  of  a  dark  shining  green  color;  per- 
fectly hardy. 

ACHIMENES  {Tender  Tuber). 

Tropical  plants  for  summer  blooming;  the  scaly  tubers  must  be 
preserved  entu'ely  dry  during  winter.  In  early  spring,  pot  in 
peat,  sand  and  a  little  light  soil.  They  delight  in  heat,  moisture 
and  shade  while  growing,  but  in  a  more  cool  temperature  when 
in  bloom.     Excellent  for  baskets. 

ACHYRANTHES  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  90'). 

The  Achyranthes  are  plants  with  beautiful  foliage,  most  of 
which  are  excellent  for  planting  in  masses  and  in  the  ribbon 
style,  their  distinct  cokrs  forming  a  striking  contrast  with  Cen- 
taureas  and  other  white-leaved  plants.  All  are  well-suited  for 
planting  in  the  centre  of  hanging  baskets  and  vases,  and  also  for 
house  and  winter  culture,  as  they  develop  their  colors  even 
in  partial  shade  and  prove  to  be  somewhat  hardier  than  Coleus  for 


128  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


this  purpose.  They  reach  a  height  of  from  one  to  one  and  a  half 
feet.  Any  of  the  varieties  may  be  readily  propagated  from  cut- 
tings in  a  warm  place.  For  summer  culture  the  cuttings  should 
be  struck  m  February  or  March,  while  to  have  beautiful  medium - 
sized  plants  for  window  culture  in  the  winter  or  to  plant  into 
ferneries— for  wdiich  purpose  they  are  admirably  adapted — propa- 
gate in  June  or  July. 

A.  aureus  reficwZa^ws— Has  leaves  of  a  light  green  color,  netted 
with  golden  yellow,   occasionally  splashed   with  crimson; 
stalk  and  leaf -stems  light  crimson;  a  beautiful  and  desira- 
ble plant. 
A.  Gihonii — With  leaves  striped  with  various  shades  of  carmine; 
stems  of  a  deep  shade  of  pink;  in  some  respects  an  improve- 
ment on  old  Verschaffeltii,  being  of  a  more  dense  and  com- 
pact growth;  excellent  in  every  way. 
A.  Lindenii— An  upright  dwarf  grower,    about  one   foot  high, 
completely  branched  from  the  root;  leaves  narrow  lanceo- 
late, of  a  deep,  blood-red  color,  reflecting  varying  tints  of 
red  and  j^urple;  unsurpassed  for  bedding. 
A.  Lindenii  aureus  variegata — A  variety  in  every  respect  similar 
to  Aureus  reticulatus,  except  that  it  resembles  Lindenii  in 
growth  and  form  of  leaf . 

ACROCLINIUM  (Half-hardy  Annual). 

This  is  one  of  the  several  useful  everlasting  flowers  that  are 
readily  grown  from  seed.  The  flowers  are  of  medium  size,  good 
form,  and  are  not  excelled  by  any  other  everlasting  in  points  of 
delicacy  and  beautiful  tints.  It  is  better  to  scartthe  young  plants 
in  heat  and  transplant  to  eight  inches  apart,  then  to  sow  directly 
where  they  are  to  blooui,  although  there  is  no  great  danger  of 
failure  by  doing  so  about  June  1st.  The  flowers  should  be  cut  for 
use  in  winter  before  they  are  fully  expanded. 
A.  album — Pure  white. 
A.  roseum — Bright  rose. 

AGAPANTHUS.  (Tender  Bulb.) 

An  old  genus  of  Liliaceous  plants,  belonging  to  the  greenhouse, 
and  easily  grown  in  light  fibrous  loam  and  old  manure.  During 
the  growing  season  water  must  not  be  neglected.  Store  away  in 
the  cellar  during  winter.  This  plant  will  frequently  send  up  a 
flower  stalk  three  feet  high, crowned  with  twenty  or  thirty  flowers, 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


129 


which  will  open  in  succession.     It  is  a  noble  ornament  on  a  lawn. 
A.  umbellatus — Numerous  large  umbels  of  bright  blue  flowers, 
on  tall  stems. 

AGAVE— Century  Plakt   {Greenhouse  Perennial,  32,  45,    90^). 

This  remarkable  family  of  plants  belongs  to  the  class  knowu  as 
fleshy  plants,  and  which  have  thick,  massive  leaves  that  present 
but  a  small  amount  of  surface  in  proportion  to  their  bulk.  lu  tlie 
present  instance  the  plants  have  no  proper  stem  previous  to  the 
time  of  sending  up  their  flowering  shoot,  which,  as  is  well  known, 
takes  place  at  an  advanced  age,  although  the  popular  impression 
that  they  do  not  flower  until  the  age  of  one  hundred  years  is  er- 
roneous. In  Central  and  South  America,  their  native  habitats, 
they  flower  previous  to  their  twentieth  year,  but  in  our  green- 
houses not  usually  until  they  have  reached  three  or  four  times  this 
age.  After  flowering  the  plant  dies  to  the  ground,  but  the  root 
sends  up  a  mass  of  new  plants.  The  leaves  are  long,  thick,  and 
terminate  in  a  point;  they  diverge  upwards  and  outwards  from 
the  centre  and  together  form  one  of  the  most  effective  pot  plants 
for  decorating  the  grounds  in  summer  and  the  conservatory  or 
dwelling  in  winter  that  can  be  cultivated.  The  Agaves  are  easy 
to  grow,  being  not  at  all  particular  as  regards  light  or  heat,  in  this 
resj)ect  resembling  the  Cactus,  and  quite  as  deshable  for  house 
culture.  Their  growth  can  be  retarded  or  encouraged  by  more  or 
less  frequently  shifting  them  into  larger  pots,  which,  at  the  most, 
should  not  be  done  of  tener  than  once  a  year. 

Their  are  two  varieties  in  common  cultivation— ^4.  Americana, 
with  bluish-green  leaves,  and  A.  Americana  variegata,  similar  in 
appearance  to  the  preceding,  except  that  the  foliage  is  strij^ed 
throughout  its  length. 

AGERATUM  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  75  ). 

The  Ageratums  are  rapid  growing,  profuse  blooming,  easily 
propagated  plants,  that  will  thrive  with  the  most  ordinary  treat- 
ment; either  if  bedded  out  or  in  pots,  and  are  deserving  of  a  place 
in  every  collection.  The  flowers  are  produced  in  compact  tuft-like 
heads,  and  although  no  striking  colors  exist  in  them,  they  appear 
in  large  numbers  continually  throughout  the  summer:  are  of  ex- 
cellent form  and  have  long  convenient  stems,  which  render  them 
useful  for  working  into  bouquets.  Being  almost  continually  in 
flower,  most  of  the  varieties  are  valuable  for  planting  in  ribbon 


130  THE   HOME  FLORIST. 

lines  or  for  massing,  and  they  are  very  easily  reared  from  cuttings 
in  large  numbers,  a  fact  that  should  not  be  overlooked.  The 
variety  with  variegated  foliage  creates  a  very  pretty  effect  v^-heu 
similarly  employed.  Ageratums  can  be  forced  to  flower  in  the 
winter  quite  well,  either  in  the  dwelling  or  conservatory,  but  are 
not  prominently  valuable  for  this  purpose,  as  the  red-spider  is 
rather  liable  to  trouble  the  plants.  Young  summer  propagated 
plants  can  easily  be  kept  in  a  growing  condition  over  winter  from 
which  to  take  cuttings  for  spring  stock. 

A.  Imperial  dwarf — Is   of  compact  low   growth,   attaining  the 
height  of  eight  inches,  and  spreading  to  the  size  of  one  foot 
across;    it  is  almost  entirely  covered  with  lavender-blue 
flowers  during  the  greater  part  of  the  sujoimer. 
A.  Mexieanum  is  one  of  the  best  for  cut  flowers;  the  flowers  are 
of  a  delicate  lavender  color,  and  very  freely  produced;  the 
plants  grow  to  a  height  of   from  eighteen  to  twenty-four 
inches. 
A.  Mexieanum  variegatum — A  beautiful  variety  of  the  last-named 
one,  which  it  resembles  in  habit,  but  the  leaves  are  varie- 
gated with  yellow,  green  and  sometimes  a  faint  shade    of 
crimson;  suitable  for  bedding  or  pot  culture. 
A.  Tom  Thumb— The  smallest  variety  of  all,  rarely  attaining  more 
than  six  inches  in  height;  flowers  of  a  light  porcelain  blue 
color. 
A.  Blanche — Pure  white;  a  most  valuable  sort. 
A.  John  Douglas — Dwarf  and  bushy  flowers,  azure  blue,  making 
it  one  of  the  most  valuable  additions  to  bedding  plants  of 
late  introduction. 

AGROSTEMMA  (Hardy  Annual). 

A  species  of  plants  that  flower  freely  in  the  summer.  Although 
perhaps  not  as  valuable  as  some  others,  they  may  be  grown 
easily  from  seed,  and  having  long  stems  and  rather  attractive 
colors,  are  so  useful  and  pretty  in  bouquets  and  other  floral  ar- 
rangements that  they  should  not  be  passed  by. 

The  varieties  commonly  grown  are  New  Scarlet,  of  bright  color, 
Coeli  Rosa,  of  a  deep  rose  color,  but  there  are  still  other  good  ones. 

AKEBIA  QUINATA.  {Hardy  Climber). 

This  plant  is  suitable  for  large  arbors  or  trellises.  It  will  twine 
around  old  trees,  completely  covering  the  branches  from  which  it 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  I3I 

will  hang  in  graceful  festoons.  The  color  of  the  flower  is  dark 
brown;  very  sweet  scented;  it  is  easily  propagated  from  cuttings 
or  by  layering, 

ALLAMANDA    {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  55,  90°). 

A  splendid  genus  of  greenhouse  plants,  invaluable  for  exhibi- 
tion purposes.     They  should  be  grown  in  equal  parts  of  fibrous 
loam,  peat  and  sharp  sand,   with  a  little  rotted  manure.     Give 
strong  heat  and  moisture;  propagated  from  cuttings. 
A.    nerifolia—A  compact-growing    greenhouse    shrub,    having 
large,  trumpet-shaped,  bright  yellow  flowers,   which  are 
borne  in  great  profusion  nearly  the  entire  season. 
A.  Hendersonii — A  valuable  greenhouse  plant,  having  large, deep 
yellow  flowers  four  inches  in  diameter.     It  can  be  trained 
to  climb,  or  can  be  grown  in  bush  form,   as  desired.     It 
blooms  nearly  the  entire  season ;  a  splendid  plant. 
A.  Schottii — Produces  immense  numbers  of  large,  funnel-shaped 
flowers;  golden  yellow. 

ALOYSIA  CITRIODORA— Lemon  Verbena  {Greenhouse  Peren- 
nial, 33,  45,  80°). 

A  neat  growing  shrub,  with  elegant  light  green  lanceolate 
leaves  that  are  dehciously  fragrant;  in  this  respect  hardly  equalled 
by  any  other  plant  in  cultivation.  It  is  difficult  to  describe  a  fra- 
grance with  words.  That  of  this  plant  somewhat  resembles 
fche  Oder  of  lemons,  yet  besides  possesses  a  sweetness  and  agree- 
ableness  that  is  indescribable.  Sometimes  persons  of  cultivated 
tastes  may  be  met  to  whom  the  fragrance  of  such  flowers  as  the 
Heliotrope,  Mignonette,  Tuberose,  Jasminum,  etc.,  which  are 
prized  by  nearly  every  one,  are  found  to  be  distasteful,  but  I  have 
yet  to  find  the  person  who  does  not  like  the  Lemon  Verbena  fra- 
grance. Although  the  Aloysia  is  a  tender  perennial;  its  sheds  its 
leaves  in  the  fall,  and  enters  into  a  natural  state  of  rest  during 
the  winter,  in  which  condition  it  may  be  kept  over  until  spring  in 
some  moderately  dry  place,  like  under  the  staging  of  a  conserva- 
tory or  on  a  shelf  in  the  cellar  away  from  frost.  The  soil  about 
the  root  should  not  be  allowed  to  become  dust  dry,  but  occasion- 
ally may  be  treated  to  a  little  water.  In  March  or  April  the  plants 
should  be  brought  to  light  and  should  be  watered  frequently  to 
induce  a  new  growth  for  the  season.    They  may  also  be  pruned  at 


132  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


this  time.  The  Aloysia  is  suitable  either  as  a  pot  plant  or  for  bed- 
ding out,  and  will  prove  to  be  one  of  the  easiest  of  plants  to 
manage;  propagated  from  cuttings. 

ALTERN  ANTHER  A  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  60,  90°). 

A  genus  of  ornamental  plants,  with  richly-colored  leaves  in  the 
summer  and  which  are  well  adapted  for  pot  culture,  baskets, 
vases,  and  for  bedding  out  in  ribbon  lines  or  edging  to  flower  beds. 
They  are  of  a  similar  size  to,  and  contrast  beautifully  with,  varie- 
gated Alyssum  and  variegated  Thyme  for  bedding  purposes.  The 
plants  grow  rapidly,  and  assume  compact,  globular  forms  of  from 
five  to  twelve  inches  high,  which  are  extremely  beautiful.  In 
August  young  plants  can  readily  be  obtained  from  cuttings  for 
winter  decoration  and  from  which  to  propagate  spring  stock.  The 
plants  are  easily  injured  by  frost  and  should  be  planted  out  late 
enough  in  the  spring  to  avoid  danger  from  this  cause. 
A.  amabilis — The  foliage  of  tliis  variety  is  finely  variegated  with 

orange,  rose  and  green ;  vigorous. 
A.  latifolia — Broad,  smooth  leaves,  with  many  bright  colors  and 

tints  on  green  ground;  resembling  autumn  leaves. 
A.  spathulata — Leaves  carmine  and  green,  the  carmine  predomi- 
nating; five  inches. 
A.  spectabile — Leaves  orange,  bronze  and  scarlet. 
A.  versicolor — A  beautiful  and  distinct  variety  of  rose  and  deep 

crimson  color;  nine  inches. 
A.  parychioides — Leaves  prettily  marked  with  yellow  and  red. 
A.  parychioides  major — Foliage  with  a  bright  orange-colored  tint. 
A.  aurea — Beautiful  bright  yellow  leaves. 

A.  aurea  nana — This  new  variety  seems  to  supersede  everything 
else  for  a  yellow  line  in  massing  or  ribbon  bedding;  the 
leaves  are  bright  golden  yellow;  habit  upright  and  com- 
pact; height  four  inches. 

ALTHAEA— Rose  of  Sharon  {Hardy  Shrub). 

This  is  really  one  of  the  most  showy  and  beautiful  flowering 
shrubs;  the  flowers  are  of  large  size,  in  some  very  double,  and  of 
various  brilliant  and  striking  colors,  such  as  white,  purple, 
striped,  rose  and  violet.  It  blooms  freely  during  August  and 
September,  when  scarcely  any  other  tree  or  shrub  is  in  bloom. 
There  is  also  a  beautiful  variety  with  variegated  foliage  of  green 
and  white;  propagated  from  cuttings. 


THE  HOME   FLORIST.  1 33 

ALYSSUM,  SWEET  {Hardy  Annual). 

A  pretty  little  plant,  easy  to  rear  from  seed  and  to  cultivate  in 
summer  and  winter  for  bouquets;  its  white,  fragrant  flowers, 
which  are  produced  abundantly,  rendering  it  valuable  for  this 
purpose.  For  summer  culture  sow  in  the  open  ground  where  it  is 
to  bloom,  or  transplant  from  the  seed  bed,  in  either  case  leaving 
four  inches  of  space  between  the  plants.  It  is  also  a  useful  j)lant 
for  hanging  basket  and  vase  cnlture.  To  have  an  abundance  of 
flowers  in  the  winter,  sow  about  July  1st  and  cultivate  in  pots 
during  the  summer,  not  allowing  them  to  bloom  for  the  first  four 
or  five  months.  This  plant,  although  usually  treated  as  an  annual, 
is  really  a  perennial,  as  is  shown  when  the  flowers  are  picked  to 
prevent  seeding,  and  it  is  kept  in  a  growing  temperature. 

Alyssum,  Variegated  Sweet  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50, 
80"^j. — This  is  a  pretty,  variegated  variety  of  the  common  and  is 
grown  from  cuttings.  It  is  also  quite  similar  in  appearance  to  the 
parent,  but  white  predominates  over  green  in  the  color  of  the 
leaves,  making  it  exceedingly  ornamental,  even  aside  of  its  many 
white  sweet-scented  flowers;  although  one  of  the  finest  droopers 
for  planting  at  the  edge  of  hanging  baskets  and  vases,  and  also  as  a 
pot  plant,  it  is  one  of  the  best  low  bedding  plants  for  ribbon  lines 
or  edgings,  as  it  assumes  a  dense,  compact  form  when  bedded. 

AMARANTHUS  {Half-Hardy  Annual). 
Some  varieties  of  the  Amaranthus  family  are  very  highly  es- 
teemed as  garden  and  pot  plants  for  their  beautiful  showy  foliage 
and  for  the  fantastic  forms  and  arrangement  of  the  flowers.  Then 
there  are  others  usually  advertised  in  seedsmen's  catalogues  which 
are  scarcely  deserving  of  culture,  unless  planted  in  the  back 
ground,  or  grouped  with  plants  to  be  seen  from  a  distance,  be- 
cause of  the  coarseness  of  the  foliage.  Such  kind  are,  however, 
so  easily  grown  from  seed,  which  may  be  put  in  directl}^  where 
they  are  wanted,  that  after  all,  they  may  be  entitled  to  our  con- 
sideration. As  a  rule,  both  the  flowers  and  foliage  of  the  various 
Amaranthus  are  more  briUiant  in  a  poor  than  in  a  rich  soil,  and  in 
a  dry  than  in  wet  seasons. 

A.  bicolor  ruber  —A  flne  bedding  plant,  the  seed  of  wiiich  should 
be  sown  in  heat  in  March  or  April;  the  lower  half  of  the 
leaf  a  red  scarlet,  the  upper  half  maroon,  sometimes 
tipped  with  yellow.  The  plants,  especially  when  grown  on 
rich  soil,  sometimes  fail  to  show  their  rich  colors. 


134  THE   HOME   FLOPaST. 

A.  caudatus  (Love  Lies  Bleeding) — Red,  graceful;  3  feet. 

A.  cnte/i^its  (Prince's  Feather) — crimson;  3  feet. 

A.  inelanciioliciis    ruber — A  very  showy  plant  of  fine  growth; 

foliage  blood  red;  well  adapted  for  ribbon  belts  or  groups; 

one  and  one-half  feet  high. 
A.  salicifoUus — The  Fountain  Plant,  so  called  from  the  graceful 

manner  in  which  the  foliage  is  arranged;  the  leaves  are 

elongated  and  willow-shaped,  and  of  a  bronzy  carmine  hue; 

sow  the  seed  in  heat. 
A.  tricolor  (Joseph's  Coat) — Leaves  red,  yellow  and  green;  very 

handsome  in  a  favorable  season. 

AMARYLLIS  {Tender  Bulb). 

The  Amaryllis  are  an  interesting  class  of  bulbs,  desirable  for 
growing  in  pots,  producing  showy  flowers  that  are  very  attrac- 
tive and  handsome. 

The  bulb  may  be  planted  out  the  latter  part  of  May  in  rich  sandy 
soil,  to  a  depth  at  which  the  neck  of  the  bulb  shall  be  even  with 
the  soil;  it  will  flower  in  June  or  July.  After  the  tops  have  been 
cut  down  by  frost  in  September  or  October,  the  bulbs  should  be 
lifted  and  put  away  in  dry  sawdust,  safe  from  frost.  The  Amaryl- 
hs  is  well  adapted  to  pot  culture  in  the  conservatory  or  on  the 
window  shelf;  give  an  abundance  of  water  up  to  the  time  of 
flowering,after  which  it  should  be  gradually  and  finally  altogether 
withheld.  After  several  months  of  rest  it  may  be  repotted  for 
another  season  of  flowering;  increased  by  division  of  the  bulbs. 
A.  Johnsonii — Dark  red  with  white  stripe;  splendid  large  bulbs. 
A.  grandiflora — Large,  flne;  scarlet. 

A.  Mrs.  Joslyn — X  new  seedling,  with  beautiful  pink  flowers. 
A.  Treatea  or  Easter  Z/z'Zt/— Has  stems  about  a  foot  high,  flowers 
very  large,  pure  white  and  sweet  scented;  bulbs  do  not 
grow  very  large. 
A.  rosea — Beautiful  rose-colored  flowers. 

A.  formosissima — The  flowers  are  large,  of  a  drooping  lily-like 
shape,  and  of  the  most  brilliant  dark  crimson  color;  they 
are  produced  on  a  stalk  a  foot  high ;  in  the  sunshine  they 
have  the  appearance  of  being  sprinkled  with  gold. 

AMOBIUM  ALATUM  {Hardy  Annual). 

An  everlasting  flower  of  fine  appearance,  which  ranks 
high  for  winter  bouquets,  on  account  of  its  being  of  a  pure  white 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  I  35 

color,  if  gathered  and  cured  by  hanging  in  the  shade  before  being 
fully  expanded;  also  very  useful  for  cutting  fresh.  Grows  finely 
in  any  garden  soil. 

AMOMUM  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  50,  90°). 

This  genus  of  aromatic  herbs  furnishes  the  Cardamon  seeds  of 
commerce;  the  plants  grow  readily  in  the  greenhouse;  propagated 
by  division  of  the  roots. 

A.  Meleguata — Has  long,  bright  green  leaves,  which  emit  a  very 
pleasant  fragrance;  a  desirable  plant. 

AMORPHOPHALLUS  {Tender  Bulb). 

A  genus  of  plants,  with  large  bulbs;  not  hardy  here,  but  excel- 
lent for  summer  bedding.  The  following  species  is  not  unlike  an 
umbrella  in  form,  with  spotted  stem;  propagated  by  offset. 

A.  Rivieri — The  entire  plant  is  marbled  with  white. 

AMPELOPSIS  {Hardy  Climber). 

Climbers  of  rapid  growth  in  any  kind  of  soil,  and  will  attach 
themselves  firml}"  to  wood  or  stone  buildings  or  to  the  trunks  of 
old  trees  and  soon  cover  these  objects  with  a  fine  mantle  of  rich 
foliage;  propagated  by  layering  or  cuttings. 

A.  VeitcJiii—A  slender  growing  variety  of  the  Virginia  Creeper; 
the  young  growth  during  summer  is  a  dark  purplish  green, 
changing  in  fall  to  the  brightest  tints  of  scarlet,  crimson 
and  orange.  It  clings  to  stonework,  trees,  etc.,  and  is  a 
splendid  plant  for  covering  unsightly  objects;  it  attains  a 
height  of  fifty  feet.  Every  year  adds  to  the  popularity  of 
this  plant;  hardy,  but  should  be  covered  the  first  winter. 

A.  tricolor— The  leaves  of  this  variety  are  elegantly  variegated 
with  white,  pink  and  green,  and  the  bluish  purple  berries 
with  which  it  is  covered  in  fall,  adds  greatly  to  its  beauty; 
a  splendid  basket  plant  or  for  covering  rockwork. 

A.  quinquefolia— This  is  the  well-known  Virginia  Creeper  found 
wild  in  many  parts  of  the  country.  It  is  a  fast  grower,  of 
strong  habit;  leaves  splendidly  colored  in  the  fall. 

A.  bipinnata—A.  finely-marked,  cut-leaved  variety  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Creeper;  equally  hardy  and  entirely  distinct,  making 
a  novel  and  valuable  plant  for  covering  walls  or  trees;  color 
of  autumn  foliage,  crimson,  scarlet,  yellow,  etc. 


136 


THE   HOME   FLORISTo 


ANEMONE  {Hardy  Tuber). 

Although  generally  known  as  a 
hardy  tuberous  plant,  the  Anemone 
Hortensis  is  not  sufficiently  so  to 
render  it  safe  to  plant  the  tubers  out 
in  the  open  ground  in  the  fall  along 
with  Hyacinths  and  the  other  hardy 
bulbs.  By  keeping  them  out  of  the 
ground  until  early  spring,  and  then 
at  the  earliest  opportunity  planting 
them  in  a  bed  prepared  the  fall  pre- 
vious, and  which  has  been  kejDt  cov- 
ered, they  will  succeed  very  well, 
and  will  flower  from  April  until 
July.  The  flowers  are  produced  on 
erect  stems,  six  to  nine  inches  high, 
in  both  the  double  and  single  varie- 
ties; they  are  of  the  most  brilliant 
colors  with  beautiful  marks  and  stripes.  The  tubers,  which 
have  a  curious  appearance,  resembling  ginger  roots,  should  be 
planted  about  six   inches  apart  and  three  inches  deep.      After 


Anemone. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  1 37 


they  have  produced  their  flowers  for  the  season,  and  the  leaves 
turn  yellow,  the  roots  may  be  taken  up,  dried  in  the  shade  and 
put  away  for  planting  again. 

Anemone  Japonica  {Hardy  Perennial). — This  is  a  desirable 
hardy  plant,  introduced  from  Japan.  There  are  several  varieties: 
A.  rubra— ^ith.  red,  and  A.  alba  with  white  flowers  being  the 
most  commonly  cultivated,  The  flowers  of  these  are  nearly  two 
inches  in  diameter,  and  are  produced  in  great  profusion  for  a  long 
time  during  the  latter  part  of  the  summer  and  in  the  autumn; 
the  plants  attain  a  height  of  two  feet.  There  are  different  varie- 
ties of  wild  or  wood  Anemones  found  growing  in  most  parts  of 
the  United  States  and  Europe,  which  are  attractive  among  spring 
and  summer  wild  flowers;  increased  from  root  cuttings. 

ANIMATED  OATS  {Hardy  Annual). 
Among  curious  things  in  the  vegetable  kingdom,  the  seeds  of 
this  plant  are  prominent  and  decidedly  interesting.  What  is 
striking  about  them  is  that  they  have  a  strong  resemblance  to  in- 
sects with  long  cricket-like  legs  that  are  bearded  and  covered 
with  spurs,  all  pointing  in  one  direction.  They  will  throw  them- 
selves ahead  with  a  darting,  springing  motion  sufficiently  life-like 
in  appearance  to  be  deceptive  if  laid  upon  a  paper  which  is  being 
agitated;  or  if  the  seeds  are  moistened,  so  sensitive  are  their 
strong  beards  to  alterations  of  dryness  and  moisture  that  they 
will  twist  and  keep  in  motion,  resembling  an  insect  crawling  on 
tlie  ground.     Sow  in  the  open  ground  early  in  the  spring. 

ANTHERICUM  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  85^). 
An  elegant  house  plant  of  easy  cultivation.  It  has  a  hardy 
constitution,  not  as  against  cold,  but  as  against  gases,  sudden 
changes  and  dryness  of  the  atmosphere  in  the  drawing-room, 
which  makes  it  a  valuable  plant  for  the  conservatory  or  for  filling 
in  baskets,  jardinieres  or  rustic  designs;  propagated  by  seed  or 
division  of  the  roots. 
A.  vitatum  variegatum— Has  beautiful  dark  green  leaves,  marked 

with  broad  sti-ipes  of  pure  white;  it  throws  up  long  spikes 

of  small,  star-shaped  flowers. 

ANTIRRHINUM— Snap  Dragon  {Hardy  Herbaceous  Perennial). 

The  Antirrhinum  is  a  hardy  perennial  that  usually  survive  our 

winters  if  protected,  although  it  is  not  to  be  entirely  relied  upon 

in  this  respect,  as  sometimes  it  will  die  out.     It  is,  however,  so 


138 


THE   HOxME   FLORIST. 


Antirrhinum. 
easily  grown  from  seed  every  year,  sown  either  in  the  latter  part  of 
summer  or  early  in  the  spring  under  glass  or  in  the  open  ground, 
that  there  is  no  necessity  of  keeping  up  old  plants  from  year  to 
year.  Flowers  freely  the  first  season  from  the  seed,  and  better 
the  second,  if  the  flowers  are  removed  as  fast  as  they  appear  the 
first  season.  The  flowers  are  bright  and  attractive,  appearing  for 
a  long  time  and  even  up  to  cold  weather:  also  easily  propagated 
from  cuttings,  and  stock  plants  can  be  kept  over  in  a  cold  pit  un- 
til February  or  March,  and  then  started  into  growth  to  form 
shoots  for  propagation.  Among  the  Antirrhinums  are  the  tall 
(two  feet  high),  dwarf  (one  foot  high)  and  Tom  Thumb  (six  inches 
high)  sections,  the  following  being  some  of  the  most  distinct 
varieties: 

A.  album— Vwce  white,  both  tall  and  dwarf. 
A.  brilliant— Crimson  and  white,  both  tall  and  dwarf. 
A.  delila — Carmine,  white  throat. 

A.  firefly— Orsin^Q  scarlet,  white  tln-oat,  both  tall  and  dwarf. 
A.  papillon -scarlet,  white  and  yellow,  both  tall  and  dwarf. 
A.  purpureum — Deep  bright  purple;  dwarf. 
A.  striatum — Beautifully  striped;  tall,  dwarf  and  Tom  Thumb. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  1 39 

AQUILEGI A— Columbine  {Hardy  Herbaceous  Perennial). 

A  genus  of  plants  that  flower  the  fore  part  of  the  season,  some 
varieties  of  which  are  well  known,  the  old  garden  Honeysuckle 
being  one  of  th.ese.  They  may  be  propagated  by  dividing  the 
roots  and  from  seed. 

A.  coerulea—A  most  beautiful  variety  from  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, which  is  entitled  to  be  universally  cultivated.  In 
England  I  see  it  is  declared  to  be  "not  only  the  Queen  of 
Columbines,  but  even  the  most  beautiful  of  all  hardy  herb- 
aceous plants."  The  color  is  a  delicate  blue,  with  distinct 
white  centre,  and  the  remarkably  long  spurs  give  the 
flowers  a  most  singular  and  beautiful  appearance . 

ARDISIA  (Greenhouse  Perennial  33,  50,  80°). 

Greenhouse  evergreen  shrubs,  with  panicles  of  small  white 
flowers.  They  enjoy  light,  fibrous  loam,  peat  and  sand,  with  good 
drainage;  propagated  from  seeds. 

A.  crenata — Clusters  of  brilliant  scarlet  berries  during  winter. 
This  is  a  charming  house  plant  and  should  be  more  gener- 
ally cultivated;  the  berries  remain  for  a  long  time,  giving 
the  plant  an  elegant  appearance;  the  plants  usually  fruit 
when  one  year  old. 

ARISTOLOCHIA  SIPHO— Dutchman's  Pipe  (Hardy  Climber). 

This  vine  is  suitable  for  covering  walls  or  trellises.  Under  fav- 
orable circumstances  it  will  grow  twenty  feet  in  a  season; 
the  foliage  is  large,  of  a  deep  rich  green ;  the  flowers  are  of  a 
brownish  color  and  resemble  in  shape  a  pipe;  propagated  by  seed. 

ARMERIA  (Hardy  Perermial). 

This  is  the  well-known  "Sea  Pink;"  it  is  perfectly  hardy;  does 
well  in  all  situations;  flowers  bright  pink;  A^ery  useful  for  bou- 
quets; blooms  through  the  spring,  summer  and  faU;  propagated 
by  division. 

ASCLEPIAS  (Hardy  and  Tender  Perennial,  33,  45,  75".) 

A  genus  of  very  attractive  flowering  plants.     The  following 
specie  is  used  for  bedding  out  during  summer,   and  for  pot  cul- 
ture in  winter.     Good  loam  and  sand  is  sufficient;  propagated  by 
cuttings. 
A.  Curassavica — A  species  with  scarlet  flowers. 


I40 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


ASPIDISTRA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  50,  80°). 

Liliaceous  plants  from  China  and  Japan,  with  oblong  lanceo- 
ate  leaves,  easily  grown  in  an  ordinary  greenhouse,  in  good  turfy 
loam:  propagated  by  dividing  the  suckers.  They  are  useful 
house  plants;  for  the  production  of  well-marked  plants  of  the 
variegated  species  the  pots  in  which  they  are  grown  should  be 
small. 
A.  lurida  variegata—luesiYes  with  broad  white  stripes. 


Aster. 


ASTER  (Hardy  Annnal), 

The  Aster  is  one  of  the  grandest  of  seed-grown  plants.  There 
are  tall  growing  varieties  two  to  three  feet  in  height,  and  from 
these  different  sections  are  graded  in  height  all  the  way  down  to 
the  very  dwarf  ones,  not  more  than  eight  inches  high,  and  which 
spread  out  so  as  to  present  the  appearance  of  bouquets  of  flowers 
set  in  the  ground.  The  flowers  are  of  the  most  attractive,  as 
well  as  delicate  colors,  including  the  purest  white,  and  also  pre- 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  I4I 


sent  quite  a  variety  of  forms,  many  of  which  are  very  large  and 
double  to  the  centre.  The  seed  may  be  started  early  in  the  hot- 
bed, cold-frame  or  seed-bed,  as  no  plants  transplant  more  readily, 
or  it  may  be  sown  in  the  open  ground  directly  where  they  are  to 
flower.  Set  the  large  varieties  about  ten  inches  apart,  and  the 
dwarfer  ones  from  that  down  to  six.  The  tall  varieties  should  be 
supported  by  stakes  in  the  summer  to  prevent  the  rain  from  bend- 
ing or  breaking  them  down. 
A.  bouquet,   newest  dwarf —A  very  fine  acquisition;  each  plant 

looks  like  a  bouquet  of  flowers;  eight  inches. 
A.  bouquet,    dwarf  pyramidal — Ten  inches  high;  an  early  and 

abundant  bloomer. 
A.  chrysanthemum-flowered,  dwarf,  double — A  splendid  variety 
of  dwarf  compact  habit,  nine  inches  in  height,  producing 
flowers  three  to  four  inches  across. 
A.  cocardeau,   or   new  crown — A  fine  flower;   very   double,  the 
central  petals    being  pure   white,    sometimes  small    and 
quilled;  sports  occasionally ;  eighteen  inches. 
A.  German,  pyradmidal-fiowered — Late,  branching;  good  habit; 

needs  no  tying. 
A.  German,  quilled — Desirable  on  account  of  the  quilled  appear- 
ance of  the  flowers;  about  three  feet  high. 
A.  hedge  hog,  or  needle — Petals  long,  quilled  and  shaiply  point- 
ed; very  curious  and  fine;  two  feet. 
A.  la  supzrbe — Large   flowering   class,    often    more    than  four 

inches  in  diameter,  twenty  inches  in  height. 
A.    pceony-floivered  perfection,    TruffauVs  Newest — One  of   the 
best;  very  large,  beautiful  flowers;  petals  long  and  a  little 
reflexed :  two  feet. 
A.  pearl — This  is  entitled  to  be  called  a  gem  among  Asters ;  is  of 
dwarf,  compact,  bushy  habit,  not  above  fifteen  inches  in 
height,  closely  set  with  beautiful  imbricated,  double,  globu- 
lar flowers  of  good  colors. 
A.  rose,  improved — A  valuable  class  of   Aster,  producing  very 
double   and  large  flowers.       The   blood-red  color  of  this 
variety  is  the  darkest  and  most  brilliant  of  all  Asters;  two 
feet. 
A.  Victoria — Flowers    very  double,    imbricated,     globular    and 
large;  the  plant  is  very  robust,   about   two  feet  high  and 
branching. 


142  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

A.  Victoria,  dwarf — Only  one  foot  high,  but  very  rich  flowering, 

with  flowers  three  to  four  inches  across. 
A.  Emperor,  giant — Very  brilliant  and  beautiful  colors;  flowers 

double  and  of  immense  size,  often  four  inches  in  diameter; 

two  feet. 

ASTILBE    JAPONICA — Spirea  Japonica    {Hardy  Herbaceous 

Pereiuiial). 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  of  hardy  plants.  It  blooms  in  early 
summer,  producing  upright  spikes  of  white,  delicately-formed, 
fragrant  flowers;  the  foliage  is  of  compound  digitate  form,  and 
exceedingly  attractive,  being  of  a  deep,  uniform  green  color ; 
height  of  plant  two  to  four  feet.  By  potting  the  Astilbe  at  the 
approach  of  winter  it  may  be  taken  into  the  dwelling  or  conser- 
vatory and  forced  into  bloom  from  January  and  later,  by  which 
course  it  succeeds  easily  and  becomes  very  attractive.  Propagated 
by  division  of  the  roots. 

AZALEA  {Greenhouse  Shrubby  Peremiial,  35,  50,  70°). 

Plants  of  high  value  for  window  and  conservatory  decoration, 
being  covered  with  one  blaze  of  beauty  in  the  spring  months,  and 
continuing  to  increase  in  splendor  and  the  profusion  of  flowers 
with  each  year's  growth.  In  the  summer  they  should  be  moved 
to  the  open  air,  plunging  the  pots  to  their  rims  in  soil  in  some 
shady  place,  as  against  a  fence  or  building,  until  September,  when 
they  should  be  taken  for  the  winter,  either  into  the  conservatory 
direct,  or  cellar,  or  cold-pit,  to  bring  in  for  flowering  at  any  time 
between  February  and  May.  The  most  suitable  time  for  re-pot- 
ting the  plants  is  after  their  flowering  season;  they  delight  in  a 
light  soil,  containing  a  good  deal  of  vegetable  matter,  such  as 
peat  or  loam  from  the  woods;  propagated  by  cuttings. 

BALSAM— Lady's  Slipper  {Tender  Annual). 

Balsams  are  plants  that  are  readily  grown  from  seed,  and 
which  will  repay  for  any  time  and  trouble  needed  to  raise  them 
Their  double  blossoms  of  most  brilliant  colors,  fine  shape  and  beau- 
tiful texture,  rank  them  among  the  finest  of  flowers,  but  unfor- 
tunately being  short  stemmed,  their  use  in  ordinary  bouquets  is 
precluded;  they  can,  however,  be  employed  in  arranging  plate 
bouquets  or  upon  baskets  of  moss  very  well.     The  pure  white 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


143 


Balsam. 

variety  is  largely  grown  by  florists  for  making  into  wreaths  and 
other  designs  suitable  for  funerals  by  first  stemming  them  with 
wire  on  short  bits  of  match  stick  and  inserting  these  into  forms  of 
moss,  so  that  the  flowers  touch.  Frequently  no  other  flowers  are 
used  for  such  work  but  the  double  white  Balsam,  and  the  effect 
produced  is  complete.  For  ordinary  culture  the  seed  may  be 
sown  in  the  hot-bed,  cold-frame,  or  seed-bed,  transplanting  the 
plants  finally  to  a  distance  of  ten  or  twelve  inches  apart,  after  the 
second  set  of  leaves  have  started.  Few  plants  are  susceptible  of 
such  great  impi ovement  by  pinching  as  is  the  Balsam.  The  plants 
may  be  trained  to  one,  three  or  five  branches  for  flowering,  and 
in  either  case  will  be  more  pleasing  than  if  allowed  to  take  their 
natural  course  of  growth ;  or  some  plants  may  be  trained  to  each 
style,  thus  creating  variety  in  this  way.  To  train  to  one  stalk, 
simply  remove  all  side  shoots  as  they  appear;  this  will  cause 


144  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


the  central  one  to  grow  two  or  three  feet  in  height,  and  be  perfectly- 
covered  with  bloom.  For  three  or  five  shoots,  pinch  back  the  termi- 
nal and  all  side  shoots  but  the  desired  number  for  flowering.  The 
American  climate  is  well  adapted  to  the  Balsam,  and  if  it  be 
grown  in  good  rich  soil,  flowers  of  great  excellence  can  be  pro- 
duced, although  it  seems  established  that  some  flowers  will 
come  only  partially  double  from  the  best  strains  of  seed.  The 
plant  is  well  suited  to  pot  culture  in  summer,  by  having  the  soil 
of  good  loamy  quality,  well  enriched,  and  giving  it  a  sunny  posi- 
tion and  plenty  of  water.  Nothing  smaller  than  a  six-inch  pot 
will  answer  well  for  this  purpose. 
B.  camellia-flowered,  spotted  German — Very  double  and  choice, 

spotted  with  M^hite. 
B.  camellia-flowered— Vnxe  white. 
B.  camellia-flowered,    double   dwarf — Very  fine;    eight   or    ten 

inches  in  height. 
B.  carnation — Fine  double  flowers,  resembling  a  Carnation. 
B.    FzcfoWa— Satiny  white,    spotted  with  scarlet;    exceedingly 

pretty. 
B.  rose-flowered— 'Perfectly  double. 
B.  extra  double  dwarf — Very  double;  eight  inches. 

BALM — Melissa  {Hardy  Herbaceous  Perennial). 

Pretty  hardy  plants  with  highly  fragrant  leaves,  doing  well  in 
the  sun  or  shade.  Propagated  by  cuttings,  or  by  dividing  the 
roots. 

B.  golden — Green  leaves  with  bright  yellow  blotches. 
B.  silver — Green  leaves,  blotched  with  pure  white. 

BEGONIA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  36.  55,  80"). 

An  interesting  family  of  plants  in  their  two  divisions  of  flower- 
ing and  showy-leafed  sorts.  The  more  free-flowering  varieties  of 
the  former  are  indispensable  in  every  florist  establishment,  their 
handsome  blossoms  being  valuable  for  bouquets.  The  plants  of 
this  section  are  also  very  suitable  for  pot  culture  in  the  window, 
or  the  out-of-door  plant  stand,  and  also  for  planting  in  lianging 
baskets  and  ferneries,  but  possess  httle  value  for  bedding  in 
the  garden  unless  planted  in  a  warm  place  well  protected  from 
winds.  During  the  greater  portion  of  the  year  the  plants  are  in 
the  different  varieties  covered  with  a  profusion  of  graceful, 
drooping  racemes  of  rose,  pink,  white  and  crimson  buds  and  bios- 


THE   HOME   FLORIST 


145 


Tuberous-rooted  Begonia  Flowers. 

soms  that  are  exceedingly  attractive,  and  having  a  waxy,  coral- 
like appearance.  The  plants  themselves  are  of  neat,  compact 
habit,  with  glossy  green  leaves  in  some  varieties  and  exquisitely 
cut  ones  in  others.  Both  sections  of  the  Begonia  family  delight 
in  warm,  sandy,  well-enriched  soil;  they  are  readily  propagated 
by  cuttings  or  seed. 

B.  glaucaphyllia  scandens — An  early  flowering  variety,  produc- 
ing clusters  of  rich,  salmon-colored  flowers  from  the  axil  of 
each  leaf,  the  plant  being  of  a  lovely  drooping  habit;  it  is 
exceedingly  fine  for  hanging  baskets  in  a  warm  place. 

B.  hybrida  mtdtiflora — A  remarkably  neat  and  free-flowering 
variety,  with  small,  ovate,  glossy  leaves,  and  many  rose 
pink  blossoms;  excellent. 

B.  iiitida  alba— A  free-growing,  profuse-blooming  variety,  hav- 
ing pure  white  flowers  during  the  Avinter  months. 

B.  palmata—  Attractive,  palm-shaped  leaves. 


146  THE   HOME  FLORIST. 


B. parviflora — Dwarf;  a  neat  growing  plant  with  white  flowers; 
blooms  most  profusely  in  summer,at  which  time  its  flowers 
are  very  useful  for  bouquets. 

B.  Saundersonii  (Coral  Begonia) — One  of  the  best  flowering  Be- 
gonias; the  flowers  are  of  a  scarlet  shade  of  crimson,  borne 
in  profusion  for  months  at  a  time;  leaves  slightly  edged 
with  scarlet. 

B.  Welt oniensis— This  valuable  plant  I  consider  deserving  of  more 
than  ordinary  notice;  it  is  a  rapid,  healthy  grower,  very 
profuse  bloomer,  with  beautiful  fohage, and  always  presents 
an  attractive  appearance,  summer  and  winter. ,  The  surface 
of  the  leaves  show  various  shades  of  dark  and  light  green 
of  remarkable  richness,  and  presents  a  transparent 
depth  of  texture,  without  any  gloss  whatever,  of  the  most 
exquisite  beauty,  being  somewhat  similar— except  in  color- 
to  the  bloom  on  the  grape.  The  flowers  and  buds  of  a  beau- 
tiful pink  color,  are  produced  in  clusters  by  the  hundred  on 
an  ordinary  sized  plant,  with  common  culture.  The  leaf 
stalks  and  branches  of  the  plant  are  dark  crimson,  and  suf- 
ficiently striking  to  create  a  marked  contrast  v^-ith  the  bril- 
liant green  leaves  and  the  pink  flowers.  Unlike  many 
plants  that  possess  unusual  merit  in  some  respects  and 
then  have  counter-balancing  faults,  this  Begonia  is  unex- 
celled by  any  of  the  older  varieties  for  f reeness  of  growth 
and  flowering  qualities,  and  the  plant  naturally  assumes  a 
well-proportioned  form. 

B.  metallica — A  shrubby  variety,  good  grower  and  free  bloomer; 
leaves  triangular,  longer  than  wide;  under  side  of  leaves 
and  stems  hairy;  the  surface  of  a  lustrous  metallic  or 
bronze  color;  veined  darker;  flowers  pale  peach,  covered 
with  glandular  red  hairs.  It  is  perfectly  distinct  from  any 
other.  The  best  house  Begonia  w^e  know,  and  a  perfect 
companion  to  the  following,  with  the  additional  advantage 
of  having  lovely  foliage. 

B.  rubra— This  is  one  of  the  finest  acquisitions  to  our  winter- 
flow^ering  plants;  the  leaves  are  of  the  darkest  green,  the 
color  of  the  flowers  scarlet  rose,  glossy  and  wax-like.  This 
peculiarity  is  so  marked,  that  when  plants  are  placed 
singly  in  a  room  the  glossy  appearance  of  the  leaves  and 
flowers  give  the  impression  that  they  are  artificial  rather 
than  natural.     See  cut,  next  page. 


THE  HOME  FLORIST. 


H7 


Begonid   Rubra. 


B.  Washingtonii — A  vigorous  grower,  large  leaves;  elegant  truss 

of  pure  white  flowers . 
B.  Schmidfii — A  new  va,riety  with  dark  metallic  green  foliage;  a 

profuse  bloomer,  being  covered  with  white  flowers,  tinged 

with  pink. 
B.  ricinifolia — Large  palmate  leaves,  showy  flowers;  a  fine  bed- 
ding variety. 
B.  Ricinifolia  macalata — Like  the  above,    but   with   the  leaves 

beautifully  mottled  bronze. 
B.  sanguinea — Upper  surface  of  leaves    olive   color,   underside 

dark  crimson,  very  fine;  flowers  nearly  white. 
B,  subpeltata  Nigricans — Long,  pointed  leaf,  rich  crimson  bronze, 

very  beautiful ;  flowers  bright  rose. 
B.  incarnata — Vigorous    grower;    flowers  white,    edged   bright 

pink. 
B.  Degswellaina — Flowers   dark  crimson,  center  pink;  xerj  free 

bloomer;  a  beautiful  variety;  will  please  everybody. 


148 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


B.  semperflorens  rosea — A  most  beautiful  Begonia,  in  habit  and 
form  exactly  like  the  old  Semperflorens.  The  flowers  ap- 
pear in  large  clusters,  and  are  white,  heavily  shaded,  and 
bordered  with  dark  carmine-rose.  The  contrast  of  these 
colors  with  the  bright  yellow  of  the  stamens,  produces  a 
most  charming  efltect;  very  free;  this  variety  will  become 
one  of  the  most  popular  shrubby  Begonias. 

B.  alba  x>erfecta  grandiflora — Has  beautiful  bright  green  foliage, 
with  large  clusters  of  pure  white  flowers;  this  is  a  choice 
variety. 

B.  McBeihii — Foliage  fern-like;  panicles  of  pure  white  flowers, 
produced  in  the  greatest  profusion;  it  is  the  most  persistent 
bloomer  of  the  Begonias,  and  supersedes  Richardsonii, 
which  variety  it  resembles  in  foliage. 

B.  foliosa — A  handsome  basket  plant;  the  foliage  is  small  and 

delicate  and  contrasts  well  with  its  white  bloom. 
B.  robusta — Bright  carmine  and  salmon  flowers. 


Begonia  Fiichsioides, 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  I49 

B.  fuchsioides — Free-blooming  variety;  small  scarlet  flowers.   See 

cut. 
B.  Goury — New  shrubby  variety;  flowers  pure  white. 
B.  Bruanti — Foliage  bright  green;  flowers   quite  large,    white, 

tinged  with  pink,    completely   covering  the   whole  plant: 

shrubby,  like  the  preceding  variety. 

Showy-Leaf  Begonias— Of  the  show-leaf  varieties,  I  will  state 
that  lovtrs  of  the  beautiful  in  Nature's  grotesque  growths  will 
find  in  this  entire  division  much  to  admire.  Their  large  and  in- 
teresting leaves  add  an  effect  to  collections  of  plants  which  can 
be  equaled  by  nothing  else  grown.  Imagine  the  larger  part  of 
the  leaf  to  be  a  bright  greenish  silver  hue,  with  the  centre  and 
outer  edge  a  lively  deep  green  in  some  places,  or  rather  several 
shades  of  green,  spotted  lightly  with  silver.  Then  imagine  the 
upper  surface  of  the  leaf -ribs  to  be  studded  with  small  crimson 
hairs,  while  the  extreme  edge  is  fringe-like,  and  of  a  crimson 
scarlet  color,  as  is  also  the  underside,  with  the  veins  distinctly 
prominent  and  showy,  and  some  idea  of  the  beauty  of  this  entire 
section  can  be  formed.  All  the  varieties  are  suitable  for  pot  cul- 
ture and  for  hanging  baskets  in  protected  places.  They  delight  in 
a  warm,  shady  place,  and  should  not  be  exposed  to  sweeping 
drafts  of  air.  In  habit  and  general  appearance  the  first  and  last- 
named  varieties  in  the  following  descriptions  are  quite  similar  to 
the  flowering  section  of  Begonias,  being  liprisjht  growers,  with 
branches,  while  the  others  are  prostrate  in  habit,  although  the 
leaves  stand  well  up  on  long  stems. 

B.  argyrostygma  Veitchii— Is  a  handsome  variety,  the  leaves  of 
which  are  smooth,  of  medium  size,  light  green  and  thickly 
covered  with  small,  clear  silver  markings;  underside  of  a 
crimson  color,  smooth;  white  flowers;  easy  to  cultivate. 

B.  El  Dorado  -Has  medium  sized  leaves,  distinctly  marked  and 
of  a  peculiar  velvety  texture. 

B.  insignis — A  free  grower,  leaves  of  medium  size,  with  a  metal- 
lic lustre. 

B.  luxuriance—  Leaves  nearly  star-shaped,  borne  on  stems  a  foot 
long;  grotesque. 

B .  Mary  Stuart— l^arge,  showy  leaves;  an  old  favorite,  perb.aps 
the  best  in  cultivation. 

B.  Mrs.  Victor  ZemoiHe— Light-colored  leaf,  with  the  edges  and 
centre  beautifully  marked  like  lace, 


150  THE  HOME  FLORIST. 

B.  Queen  of  Begonias  —A  good  grower. 

B.  Rex— A.  fine  variety;  excellent;  described  abov^e. 

B.  Silver  Queen— A  variety  in  which  the  silvery  color  predomin- 
ates. 

B.  zebriaa—K  beautiful  upright  grower  of  bold  appearance, with 
thick  leathery  leaves  from  four  to  six  inches  long  and.  two 
wide  in  their  widest  parts;  of  a  very  dark  green  color, 
striped  with  silvery  marks;  underside  and  stems  of  dark 
crimson  and  red  colors;  a  very  handsome  variety. 

B.  Louis  Cretien — The  handsomest  of  all  foliage  Begonias;  ground 
color  dark  green,  with  silver  band,  tinted  violet  crimson, 
with  metallic  lustre. 

BEGONIA— TtTBEROUS  Rooted  {Tender  Tubers). 

A  comparatively  new  section  of  this  beautiful  tribe;  flowers 
ranging  through  all  the  shades  of  crimson,  scarlet,  rose,  orange, 
etc.  They  require  the  same  treatment  as  the  fancy-leaved  Cala- 
diums,  Gloxinias,  etc  ;  tha,t  is,  the  tubers  are  dried  off  ia  winter 
and  started  again  in  spring.  Excellent  for  bedding  purposes,  as 
they  bloom  the  entire  summer  season  until  frost;  propagated  by 
division  of  tubers.     See  cut,  page  145. 

BIGNONIA  RADICANS— Trumpet  Creeper  {Hardy  Climber), 

A  climber  sufficiently  hardy  to  withstand  our  severest  weather; 
trains  well  over  a  wall;  it  is  admirable  to  climb  trees,  reaching  to 
the  topmost  branches,  and  is  literally  covered  with  its  scarlet, 
trumpet-shaped  flowers. 

BONAPARTIA  JUNCEA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  40,  60,  90°). 

A  very  scarce  genus  of  plants,  with  long,  graceful,  rush-like 
leaves;  very  attractive  A\'hen  grown  in  a  vase  out-of-doors  in  the 
summer.  Flowers  borne  on  long  spikes.  It  requires  a  warm  tem- 
perature in  winter;  propagated  by  seeds. 

BOUGAINVILLEA  SPECTABILIS  {Greenhouse  Perennial,   35, 

50,   90°). 

This  handsome  plant  is  quite  easily  grown,  thriving  in  almost 
any  temperature  that  is  higher  than  40  degrees.  It  produces  very 
freely  large  cone-shaped  racemes  of  beautiful  rose-colored  flowers. 
Being  of  climbing  habit,  it  probably  has  no  equal  for  training  to 
the  rafters  of  conservatories  or  greenhouses.     The  Bougainvillea 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  151 


has  proved  to  be  a  very  valuable  plant  to  force  for  the  bloom 
during  the  winter;  propagated  by  cuttings. 

BOUSSINGAULTIA  {Tender  Tuber). 

A  native  of  the  Andes.  An  elegant  climbing  vine,  with  round- 
ish fleshy  leaves,  long  clusters  of  fragrant  whitish  flowers  and 
tuberous  roots.  Will  grow  in  any  good  garden  soil;  propagated 
by  division  of  tubeis. 

B.  Basselloides,  (Madeira  Vine) — Excellent  for  trellises,  etc. 
BOUVARDIA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  40,  60,  90''). 

A  highly  useful  class  of  shrubby  plants  for  the  greenhouse  and 
the  window,  if  these  are  warm  and  sunny,  and  also  succeed  with 
bedding  out,  strong  plants  blooming  all  summer  in  the  beds; 
plants  that  are  properly  prepared  in  pots  will  also  bloom  continu- 
ally during  the  winter  in  the  conservatory  or  other  suitable  place. 
Thousands  of  feet  of  glass  are  each  year  devoted  to  its  culture 
for  bouquet  flowers  in  the  vicinity  of  our  large  cities.  The  flowers 
havf  an  exceedingly  beautiful,  waxy  appearance,  and  are  of 
bright  and  desirable  colors,  from  the  purest  white  to  scarlet.  A 
mellow,  open  soil  is  best  suited  to  the  Bouvardia.  As  it  requires 
a  high  temperature  for  its  growth,  the  plants  should  not  be  bedded 
out  in  the  latitude  of  Buffalo  before  the  latter  part  of  May.  For 
winter  flowering  they  should  be  started  the  spring  previous  and 
grown  in  about  five-inch  pots  until  September,  when  they  may 
be  shifted  into  a  larger  size  for  flowering  (observe  directions  for 
summer  and  fall  treatment  on  page  31).  Towards  spring  the 
flowering  and  other  shoots  should  be  severely  pruned  back  to  in- 
duce a  stocky  new  growth,  for  summer  flowering. 

With  the  exception  of  one  variety,  Bouvardias  are  readily  pro- 
pagated by  cuttings;  the  old  way  of  increasing  them  by  root  cut- 
tings is  being  superseded  by  this  method;  the  one  requisite  to  suc- 
cess in  their  propagation  is  to  take  the  cuttinas  from  plants  grown 
in  the  open  air;  cuttings  taken  in  this  manner  and  placed  in  a 
frame  with  very  little  bottom  heat  (care  being  taken  as  to  air  and 
water)  will  root  as  easily  as  Verbenas ;  the  one  exception  to  this 
method  is  B.  Leiantha,  which  refuses  to  propagate  except  from 
the  root. 

B.  Davidsonii—Ture  white  flowers,  slightly  tinted  with  a  delicate 
blush;  large  clusters. 


152 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Bouvardia^ 

B.  elegans — Light  scarlet-carmine  ;  immense  truss  and  flower; 
very  brilliant  in  color  and  an  exceedingly  free  bloomer;  one 
of  the  best. 

B.  Leiantlm — Dark,  dazzling  scarlet;  flowers  completely  covering 
the  plant. 

B.  President  Garfield— Double  pink.  The  flowers  of  this  new 
variety  are  the  same  in  size  and  formation  as  the  double 
white,  while  the  color  is  of  a  bright  pink, 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  153 

B.  Alfred  Neuner — Large,  double  white  flowers,  composed  of 
three  perfect  rows  of  petals  of  the  purest  waxy  white  color, 
each  flower  resembling  a  miniature  tuberose.  The  trusses 
are  large  and  perfect,  freely  and  without  interruption  pro- 
duced even  on  the  small  side  shoots,  which  generally  pro- 
duce no  flowers  in  the  single  varieties;  strong,  healthy,  vig- 
orous grower. 

B.  Thomas  Meehan  -The  new  double  scarlet;  this  novelty  unites 
the  brilliant  red  color  and  profuse  blooming  quality  of  B. 
Leiantha,  w4th  the  perfect  double  flower  of  B.  Alfred 
Neuner,  a  variety  of  decided  merit. 

B.  Humholdtii — Flowers  of  purest  white,  nearly  one-inch  in 
diameter,  borne  on  long  foot  stalks  in  loose  panicles,  bloom- 
ing from  October  to  June;  rich  Jassf.mine  fragrance. 

B.  flavescens— The  uncommon  and  beautiful  shade  of  color  of 
this  variety  will  commend  it  to  all ;  color  light  canary  yel- 
low; trusses  of  good  size  and  uioderately  compact. 

B.  rosea  multiflora — This  splendid  novelty  is  one  of  the  finest  sin- 
gle varieties.  The  trusses  are  very  large  and  compact,  and 
are  produced  in  the  greatest  profusion ;  color  bright  deep 
rose.  This  is  a  true  winter  flowering  variety  of  the  same 
class  as  elegans  and  Davidsonii. 

BROW  ALIA  {Half-Hardy  AnnuaT). 

A  class  of  flowers  usually  grown  in  the  garden,  but  also  quite 
suitable  for  pot  culture.  There  are  a  number  of  varieties,  the 
colors  of  which  are  blue  and  white.  The  flowers  are  not  large, 
but  are  pretty  and  distinct,  and  are  freely  j^roduced  for  a  longtime 
on  a  stalk  about  a  foot  high.  The  seed  may  be  sown  in  the  open 
ground  where  they  are  to  flower,  or  in  a  protected  bed,  from  which 
they  should  be  transplanted  to  a  distance  of  twelve  inches  apart. 
Also  increased  from  cuttings. 

BRUGMANSIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  85°). 

Peruvian  shrubs  will  thrive  well  either  planted  in  open  ground 
or  in  the  conservatory ;  they  will  also  grow  well  in  large  pots;  when 
planted  out  they  should  be  taken  up  before  frost. 

B.  suaveolens—A  magnificent  plant,  growing  four  to  six  feet  high; 
leaves  large  and  velvety;  the  floweis  are  huge,  trumpet- 
shaped,  double  arifj  highly  fragrant,  and  are  often  twelve 


I  54  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


inches  long  and  four  to  six  inches  across  the  mouth;  in 
color,  white,  with  a  pale  tinge  of  lemon;  blooms  profusely 
all  summer;  propagated  by  cuttings,  either  of  the  shoots  or 
roots. 

BRYOPHYLLUM  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  80°). 

This  curious  plant  will  grow  under  the  most  unfavorable  cir- 
cumstances. By  placing  a  leaf  in  a  damp  place  it  will  take  root 
and  numerous  young  plants  start  up. 

B.  calycinum  -Very  easily   grown,   producing  loose  jDanicles  of 
greenish  purple  flowers. 

BUTTEECUP.     (See  Ranunculus). 

CACALIA— Flora's  Paint  Brush  (Half  Hardy  Annual). 

Plants  grow  n  with  the  greatest  ease  from  seed,  which  maybe 
sown  in  the  open  ground  in  May,  or  earlier  in  the  hot-bed,  or  other 
protected  situation,  and  afterwards  transplanting  them  to  the 
garden.  The  flow^ers  range  from  scarlet  to  yellow  in  color,  are 
bright  and  pretty,  and  somewhat  resemble  a  miniature  brush;  in 
size  they  are  small  and  produced  in  clusters  on  long  stems,  on 
which  account  they  are  useful  for  bouquets,  although  not  strik- 
ingly brilliant.  The  plants  attain  a  height  of  from  eighteen 
inches  to  two  feet,  and  are  in  bloom  throughout  the  summer 
months.     Also  do  well  if  sown  in  the  fall. 

CACTUS  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  95^). 

A  well-known  family  of  succulent,  or  fleshy  plants,  all  of  which 
are  natives  of  the  warmer  regions  of  America.  They  are  desira- 
ble as  pot  plants,  on  account  of  the  remarkably  interesting  forms 
of  growth  which  the  various  species  assume,  their  almost  un- 
exceptionally  beautiful  flowers  wTiich  are  freely  produced  in  ordi- 
nary culture,  and  then  the  ease  with  which  they  are  cultivated, 
either  in  the  window  or  conservatory.  To  grow  the  Cactus  well, 
all  that  is  necessary  is  to  imitate  the  simple  natural  conditions 
that  exist  where  they  grow  wild.  They  are  found  in  their  great- 
est perfection  in  sections  which  are  subject  to  severe  drouths  of 
long  duration,  alternate  with  long  wet  spells,  and  accordingly 
under  culture,  a  course  of  treatment  that  jDrovides  for  a  free  ap- 
plication of  water  for  three  or  four  months  and  then  the  same 
largely    withheld    during    the    rest    of    the    year    suits    them, 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  1 55 


exactly.  They  may  be  kept  dryest  during  the  winter,  but  they 
should  not  be  stood  in  a  place  where  it  is  cold.  Repotting  them 
frequently  is  not  wanted,  and  it  should  be  done  not  oftener  than 
once  a  year.  April  is  the  best  time  for  performing  this  operation, 
after  which  their  wet  season  may  begin.  They  delight  in  a  sandy 
soil  not  too  rich.  The  bottom  of  every  pot  should  be  covered 
with  an  inch  of  broken  pots  or  rough  gravel  for  drainage;  propa- 
gated by  cuttings. 

C.  Epliiphyllum  truncatum,  or  Lobster  Cactus — This  species  when 
grafted  on  the  pereskia  will  form  a  beautiful  head,  and 
makes  a  very  desirable  plant  for  the  sitting-room  and  may 
be  in  bloom  from  November  to  March.  Being  in  flower  in 
the  winter  it  requires  a.  little  more  water  at  this  season  than 
other  kinds  do. 

CALADIUM  ESCULENTUM  {Greenhouse  bulb,  85,  55,  85°). 

A  beautiful  decorative  plant  of  imposing  appearance  that  will 
accommodate  itself  to  various  courses  of  treatment.  As  a  pot 
plant,  grown  in  a  place  sheltered  from  winds  in  the  summer,  it 
grows  to  the  height  of  four  feet,  and  with  its  immense  leaves, 
lends  a  tropical  appearance  to  collections,  which  is  exceedingly 
effective.  For  garden  culture  the  treatment  suited  to  the  Dahlia 
with  free  manuring  and  watering  never  neglected,  meets  the 
wants  of  this  plant  precisely.  It  delights  in  a  warm,  sandy  soil, 
and  may  be  left  out  until  frosts  cut  down  the  foliage  before  taking 
up  for  the  winter.  As  a  single  specimen  pot  plant  or  for  the  cen- 
tre of  vases,  it  is  almost  without  a  superior,  provided  it  receives  a 
rich  soil  and  inuch  water.  If  it  is  kept  too  dry  the  growth  will 
be  comparatively  feeble  and  it  will  be  subject  to  attacks  of  red 
spider;  increased  by  division  of  bulbs. 

Caladium,  Fancy  liK \yei>— (Tender  Bulbs)— F\-dnts  with 
splendid  foliage  and  of  easy  culture.  Keep  the  bulbous  roots 
quite  dry  during  winter,  and  when  growth  starts,  give  heat  and 
moisture.  Use  turfy  loam,  peat,  manure  and  sand,  with  plenty 
of  drainage;  increased  by  division  of  bulbs. 

CALANDRINIA  {Half-Hardy  Annual). 

Free-growing  plants,  producing  rose,  white  and  other  colored 
flowers  freely  during  the  summer,  that  are  desirable  in  the  gar- 
den considering  the  slight  expense  and  trouble  necessary  to  rear 


156 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


them,  although  they  cannot  be  classed  among  very  fine  flowers. 
They  remain  in  flower  until  after  frosts,  and  are  frequently  quite 
pretty  thus  late  in  the  season.  Sow  in  May,  where  they  are  to 
flower,  or  earlier  in  heat  or  in  a  protected  bed  and  transplant. 

CALCEOLARIA— Carpet    Bag    or  Moccasin  Flower  {Green- 
house  Peretmials,  32,  45,  75°). 

Shrubby  Calceolarias. 
These  are  free-blooming  plants 
of  good  habits,  which  produce 
exceedingly  attractive,  irregular 
flow^ers,  the  lower  lip  of  each  be- 
ing a  large  inflated  sac  which,  by 
its  appearance,  not  inappropri- 
ately entitles  it  to  the  common 
name  of  Carpet  Bag  or  Moccasin 
Flower.  The  plants  are  of  erect, 
shrubby  habit ;  growing  to  a 
height  of  from  six  inches  to  two 
feet.  They  are  valuable  as  pot 
plants  in  the  window  or  conserv- 
atory, or  for  bedding  out  in  posi- 
tions that  are  shaded  the  hottest 
part  of  each  day,  as  the  intense  heat  of  the  sun  is  not  favorable 
to  growth  and  bloom.  In  the  autumn  they  are  the  last  to  sus- 
tain injury  from  freezing,  and  can  then  be  taken  up  and  wintered 
in  a  well-protected  cold  pit  or  cellar  with  ease.  Also  suitable  for 
the  conservatory  or  window  in  winter.  Propagate  from  cuttings 
of  the  young  growth.  There  are  numerous  varieties,  but  the  fol- 
lowing combine  the  greatest  number  of  good  points,  all  of  w-hich 
have  pure,  rich  colors,  and  are  of  good  form  and  size  ; 
C.  aurea  floribu7ida—B.as  rich,  sulphur  yellow  flowers. 
C.  fulgens — Crimson  maroon. 
C.  Golden  Prince— An  excellent  bright  yellow. 
C.  Mrs.    Woodruff— Beep  crimson;    large  and  brilliant;    a  taU 

grower. 
C.  Queen  of  Owde— Large,  crimson  maroon,  mottled  in  the  most 

pleasing  manner. 
C.  Shower  of  Gold— This  variety  blooms  in  i^rofusion,  is  a  dwarf 
grower,  and  stands  the  hot  mn  well;  color  bright  clear  yel- 
low. 


Calceolaria. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  1 57 

Herbaceous  Calceolarias— These  are  a  distinct  section,  be- 
ing alwaj'S  reared  from  seed  sown  in  the  greenhouse  in  the  sum- 
mer months,  the  plants  flowering  the  following  spring.  Although 
the  hybrid  varieties  are  among  the  most  showy  plants  in  cultiva- 
tion for  decorating  the  conservatory,  their  culture  would  hardly 
be  likely  to  result  successfully  in  the  window,  except  by  the  most 
pains- taking  care.  The  seeds  are  very  fine  and  require  careful 
treatment  in  sowing  to  begin  with.  As  soon  as  the  young  seed- 
lings can  be  handled  they  should  be  potted  into  small  pots  and 
given  a  place  near  the  glass.  Always  sh-ft  them  into  larger  pots 
before  the  roots  mat  around  the  ball  of  earth,  as  their  growth  is 
liable  to  be  checked  if  they  become  pot  bound,  and  by  these 
means  the  green  fly,  its  greatest  pest,  be  invited.  The  plants  re- 
quire a  rich  sandy  soil. 

CALENDULA— Cape  Marigold  {Hardy  Annual). 

Desirable  free-growing  annuals  which  flower  almost  continually 
throughout  the  summer  and  until  after  frosts.  As  they  have  long, 
stiff  stems,  and  the  colors  are  attractive,  they  are  much  in  de- 
mand in  the  cities,  for  ladies'  wear  in  corsage  bouquets,  and  other 
floral  arrangements;  easily  grown  from  seed. 

C.  la  Prousti  is  a  double  variety,  of  nankeen  color,  edged  with 

brown. 
C.  pluvialis— Single,  white,  of  a  remarkably  pure  color. 

CALLA— Ethiopian  Lily  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  80°). 

Few  plants  that  are  suitable  for  cultivating  in  pots  in  the 
window  are  equal  to  the  much-esteemed  and  easily-managed 
Calla.  The  same  is  quite  true  of  its  value  as  a  conservatory  plant, 
excepting  that  it  meets  some  rivals  here  which  do  not  prove  so 
formidable  in  the  window  garden,  because  few  can  be  grown  in 
the  window  to  the  same  degree  of  perfection.  The  flowers,  or 
rather  floral  bracts,  are  large,  pure  white,  and  with  the  spadix  in 
the  centre,  possess  a  delicate  fragrance  and  beauty,  which  render 
them  typical  of  all  that  is  pure  and  elegant.  They  are  produced 
singly  on  long  stems,  and  remain  beautiful  for  several  weeks.  The 
plants  bloom  most  freely  in  the  early  spring,  and  are  grown  large- 
ly by  florists  for  adorning  churches  at  Easter,  being,  when  in 
flower,  exceedingly  appropriate  for  this  purpose.  The  best  course 
of  treatment  for  the  Calla  is,  after  flowering,  to  give  them  a 
state  of  rest  until  August,  by  keeping  the  entire   ball  of  soil 


158 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Calla. 


nearly  dust-dry.  After  this  the  earth  should  be  soaked  and 
washed  from  the  roots,  repotting  into  fresh,  rich  soil.  The 
small  offsets  that  will  be  found  about  the  base  should  also  be 
removed.  Potted  anew,  give  an  abundance  of  water  daily, 
until  and  through  their  flowering  season,  uj)  to  their  next  annual 
rest.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  overdo  the  watering,  to  the  injury 
of  the  plant,  for  its  nature  admits  of  its  growing  in  water,  and  it 
will  grow  well  in  aquariums.  The  small  offsets  from  the  root 
may  be  potted  for  new  stock.  There  are  two  common  varieties, 
the  tall  and  the  dwarf  (Calla  Ethiopica  Nana),  both  of  which  have 
white  flowers.  The  tall  kind  grows  to  the  height  of  from  tw^o  to 
four  feet,  and  the  dwarf  from  twelve  to  twenty  inches,  with  a 
proportionate  difference  in  the  size  of  the  flowers;  increased  by 
dividing  the  bulbs. 

CALLIOPSIS,  OP  COREOPSIS  {Hardy  Annual). 

Annuals  that  produce  an  abundance  of  convenient  long- 
stemmed  flowers  throughout  the  season,  of  remarkably  rich, 
bright  colors,  such  as  yellow  and  crimson,  yellow  ard  brown,  vel- 
vety crimson,  blood-red,  yellow  with  crimson  spots,  etc.     There 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


159 


are  dwarf  and  tall  varieties,  the  former  growing  from  one  to  two 
feet,  the  latter,  two  feet  and  upwards  in  height.  Of  easy  cul- 
tm-e  in  any  garden  soil. 

CALYCANTHUS  FLORIDUS— Sweet-Scented  Shrub    {Hardy 

Shrub). 

A  native  of  the  Southern  States;  remarkable  for  the  scent  of 
the  flowers  (resembling  that  of  ripe  fruit),  as  well  as  for  their 
peculiar  brown  color;  propagated  from  seed  or  offsets. 

CAMELLIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  32,  50,  75''). 

In  the  conservatory  the  Ca- 
mellia has  long  been  one  of  the 
most  famous  of  winter  flow- 
ers, and  to  the  commercial 
florist  of  great  value  for  mak- 
ing bouquets,  baskets  of  flow- 
ers, etc.  It  is  well  enough 
adapted  to  cultivation  in  the 
window,  as  regards  the  suit- 
ability of  the  situation,  for 
the  plant  naturally  grows  in 
shady  places  in  the  woods, 
but  to  be  successful  in  having 
it  flower  well,  the  plant  re- 
quires strict  attention  to  its 
peculiar  wants  in  other  re- 
spects. The  plant  produces 
its  large  flowers  only  during 
the  winter,  commencing 
with  the  early  fall  months  and 
lingering  somewhat  into  the 
spring.  They  are  from  three  to  six  inches  in  diameter,  very 
perfect  in  form,  with  petals  that  are  thick  and  of  the  most 
extraordinary  satiny  texture.  The  principal  colors  are  pure 
white — the  favorite  color — bright  rose,  cherr}',  scarlet  rose,  bright 
red,  variegated,  salmon  rose  and  otliers.  After  flowering,  the 
Camellia  makes  its  growth,  preceding  which  it  should  be  repotted, 
if  at  all.  The  plants  require  shifting  but  once  in  two  years,  ex- 
cept with  very  thrifty  young  ones,  which  may  receive  it  each 
spring.     Any  soil  is  suited  to  its  growth,  provided    it  is  well 


Camellia. 


l6o  THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


enriched  with  one-third  part  of  leaf  mould  and  thoroughly  rotten 
manure.  With  its  growth  in  the  spring,  we  meet  with  the  pecu- 
liarity of  this  plant,  in  forming  its  flower  buds,  more  than  half  a 
year  previous  to  tlieir  opening,  and  it  is  during  the  long  time  be- 
tween the  formation  of  the  buds  and  their  opening,  that  the 
treatment  the  plant  receives,  decides  whether  the  buds — usually 
formed  in  abundance,  will  develop  into  flowers  or  drop  before 
oj)ening,  an  occurrence  often  met  by  inexperienced  cultivators. 
Were  the  treatment  it  requires  during  this  time  difficult,  there 
might  be  an  excuse  for  this  unfortunate  termination  of  the 
flower  buds,  but  this  is  by  no  means  the  case.  The  plant  simply 
requires  a  light,  shady  place  in  the  summer,  such  as  may  be  found 
in  a  shaded  greenhouse  that  is  well  ventilated  (see  ''Summer 
Management  of  the  Amateur's  Conservatory"),  or  in  the  shade 
of  a  building  or  verandah,  and  be  given  an  abundance  of  w^ater, 
also  paying  attention  to  cleanliness  of  the  thick  leathery  foliage. 
Its  habit  is  deceitful  in  the  respect,  that  the  leaves  will  look 
green  and  bright,  although  the  soil  is  quite  too  dry  for  its  general 
good,  and  especially  for  the  flower  buds.  The  soil  must,  how- 
ever, not  be  kept  in  a  soaked  condition,  as  this  would  prove  as 
great  an  injury  as  the  other.  Water  should  be  applied  only  when 
the  surface  becomes  dry,  and  then  a  sufficient  quantity  should  be 
poured  on  to  entirely  soak  the  ball  of  earth,  letting  this  suffice 
until  the  plant  requires  and  is  given  another  thorough  watering, 
which  may  be  the  next  day  or  later  still.  During  its  flowering 
season  water  must  not  be  spared,  and  in  the  dwelling  the  atmos- 
phere should  be  kept  as  moist  wdiere  the  plants  are  as  well  can 
be  done.  Frequent  syringing  or  sponging  the  foliage  is  also 
needed  the  year  through.  In  the  conservatory,  that  portion 
where  the  Camellias  are  kept,  must  have  the  glass  shaded  from 
the  sun  as  soon  in  the  sjDring  as  the  plants  start  into  growth,  or 
the  leaves  will  receive  sun  scald.  Keep  a  lookout  for  Red  Spider 
on  the  leaves;  these  insects,  although  not  particularly  troublesome 
to  this  plant,  sometimes  make  inroads  upon  them  before  one  is 
aware  of  their  presence;  propagated  by  cuttings  or  by  grafting, 
or  inarching. 

CAMPANULA  {Hardy  Annuals,  Biennials  and  Perennials). 

The  annual  Campanulas  are  neat,  free-flowering  plants  of  small 
size  and  useful  for  massuig.  The  colors  are  not  very  striking  and 
yet  not  bad,  ranging  from  white  to  rosy  purple  and  blue;  should 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  l6l 


be  sown  where  they  are  to  bloom.  The  hardy  section  includes 
the  well-known  biennial  Canterbury  Bells  (Campanula  Medium), 
which  is  readily  grown  from  seed,  and  many  fine  perennial  sorts. 

CAMPSIDIUM  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  55,  90°). 

A  small  genus  of  vines;  they  have  deeply  divided  compound 
leaves  and  are  exceedingly  ornamental.     Grow  in  light  turfy  soil, 
peat  and  a  little  sand,  propagated  by  cuttings. 
C.  fiUcifolium— 'Delicate  small  leaves,  resembling  fern  fronds;  the 

flowers  are  small,  of  a  rich  orange  color.      An  elegant  vine 

for  conservatories. 

CAMPYLOBOTRYS  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  40,  60,  95°). 

These  are  beautiful  greenhouse  shrubs,  remarkable  for  their 
glossy  foliage,  propagated  by  cuttings. 

C.  regalis— The  foliage  is  a  rich  bronzy  green  color,  with  satiny 
lustre.     A  plant  of  rare  beauty. 

CANDYTUFT  {Hardy  Annuals,  Principally). 

The  annual  Candytuft  is  one  of  the  most  useful  plants  for  sum- 
mer flowers  that  can  be  grown.  It  is  raised  from  seed  with 
the  greatest  ease,  and  in  a  remarkably  short  time  after  sowing, 
the  plant  will  become  covered  with  flowers,  if  the  weather  is  suit- 
able. The  same  plants  will  not  flower  freely  during  the  entire 
summer,  and  therefore  it  is  better  to  sow  several  times  for  suc- 
cession, if  flowers  are  constantly  wanted.  They  will  bloom  until 
after  frosts.  The  flowers  are  pure  white,  several  shades  of  crim- 
son, and  lilac,  and  very  suitable  for  bouquet-making.  The  seed 
for  the  earliest  flowers  may  be  sown  very  early  in  the  spring — 
better  yet  in  the  fall.  Thin  out  the  plants  to  be  four  inches  apart. 
The  Hardy  Candytuft  (Iberis  Sempervirens)  in  several  sorts,  is  a 
hardy  plant  of  spreading  habit,  producing  an  abundance  of  pure 
white  flowers  early  in  the  spring.  As  it  does  not  die  to  the 
ground  in  winter,  the  plants  should  be  somewhat  protected  to 
keep  the  foliage  green;  may  be  propagated  by  layers. 

CANAEY  BIRD  FLOWER.     (See  Tropseolum). 

CANNA  {Tender  Bulbous  Perennial). 

This  is  a  genus  of  ornamental  plants  that  are  well  adapted  to 
the  American  climate.     They  grow  with  the  greatest  vigor,  either 


l62  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

as  pot  plants  or  bedded  in  the  garden,  and  produce  a  stately 
tropical  effect,  with  their  broad  massive  foliage  and  beautiful 
flowers,  with  little  care.  There  is  only  one  thing  to  be  particular 
about  in  managing  them,  and  that  is  to  provide  a  rich  soil  and 
plenty  of  water  and  then  they  will  produce  astonishing  results. 
The  Canna  is  freely  propagated  by  division  of  the  roots  at  plant- 
ing time.  During  winter,  the  roots  should  be  kept  in  dry  sand  in 
a  dry  cellar,  or  under  the  bench  in  the  conservatory.  Some  of 
the  best  sorts  come  well  from  seed,  but  the  really  valuable  varie- 
ties are  shy  seeders. 

C.  hicolor — Is  a  beautiful  free-growing  variety,  with  a  blending 
of  various  shades  of  green  in  the  foliage. 

C.  giganteus  aurantica — Foliage  yellowish-green,  of  fine  appear- 
ance and  free-growing  habit. 

C.  Indica — Flowers  scarlet,  foliage  green,  free  grower. 

C.  tricolor — Is  a  compact  grower  three  feet  high,  with  beautifully 
marked  leaves.  The  stem,  with  the  young  terminal 
growth,  and  also  leaf  margins,  are  tinted  with  red,  mak- 
ing an  elegant  contrast  to  the  general  effect  of  the  foliage, 
which  is  streaked  and  mottled  with  creamy  white. 

C  warzewiczi — Foliage  striped  with  dark  maroon,  crimson  and 
green.  I  have  measured  clumps  of  this  variety,  grown 
from  a  single  plant  set  out  in  spring,  that  were  by  Septem- 
ber over  four  feet  high,  with  leaves  extending  two  feet  from 
the  center  each  way. 

CARNATION— MONTHLY  OR  TREE    (Greenhouse  Perennial, 

27,  50,  85°). 

The  Monthly  Carnation  I  take  pleasure  in  recommending  to  all 
cultivators  of  flowers,  because  but  few  plants  possessing  its  hardi- 
ness and  ease  of  culture  have  so  many  good  qualities.  It  is  a 
rival  of  the  Rose,  the  Japan  Lily  and  other  plants  of  equally  high 
order.  The  flowers  are  deliciously  fragrant,  and  possess,  in  the 
different  varieties,  colors  unsurpassed  in  richness  and  beauty. 
Good  plants,  if  set  out  in  spring,  bloom  abundantly  all  summer 
in  the  flower  garden,  and  any  that  are  properly  prepared,  flower 
just  as  freely  all  during  winter  in  the  window  or  conservatory. 
For  this  latter  named  purpose  they  should  be  grown  in  the  garden 
until  the  middle  of  SejDtember,  removing  all  flower  buds  as  they 
appear  up  until  A  ugust.  (See  Preparatory  Treatment  of  Plants 
designed  for  Winter  Flowering,  page  44.)     Some  varieties  are 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


163 


Monthly  Carnation  Plant  in  Pot. 

better  adapted  for  winter  floweriDg  than  others.      President  De- 

graw,  Hinzies  "White,  La  Purite,  President  Garfield  and  Snowdon 

generally  are  preferred  for  this  purpose.      In  the  open  ground 

plant  not  nearer  than  one  foot  apart ;  they  may  be  propagated 

from  layers  of  the  branches  or  from  cuttings. 

C.  Astoria — Yellow,  striped  with  carmine  and  white. 

C.  Brussels — One  of  the  very  best.     Deep  cherry-red  occasionally 

striped. 
C.  Chas.  Sumner — Beautiful  rosy-pink. 
C  Chester  Pride — White,  penciled  with  rosy-carmine. 
C.  Crimson  King — Very  double,  crimson-scarlet. 
C.  Edwardsii — White,  tinted  with  pale  rose. 
C.  Faragut — Yellow,  heavily  laced  with  deep  maroon. 


1 64 


THE   HOMIC   FLORIST. 


Monthly  Carnation  Floiver. 
C.  George  Washington  -White,  striped  and  dotted  with  cherry. 
C.  Grace  Wilder— Color,  a  beautiful,  delicate  i^ink,  same  shade  as 

H.   P.   Rose    Baroness    Rothschild ;    flowers  large,    finely 

fringed,  clove-scented  ;  dwarf  habit  and  very  prolific. 
C.  Hinzies  White— Tuve  white,  large,  fine  flower,  supported  on 

stems  of  good  length,  making  it  desirable  for  cut  flowers. 
C.  la  Purete—Low  growing,  deep  •carmine,  free  bloomer. 
O.  la  Piirete  variegata— Beautiful  variegated,  white  and  scarlet. 
C.  Lord  Clyde— White,  thickly  striped  with  carmine. 
C  Louis  Lenoir — Very  dark  maroon. 
C.  Lydia— Yellow,  margined  with  bright  deep  cherry. 
C.  Miss  Joliffe— Delicate,  rosy-blush,  blooms  freely.     Fine. 
C.  Mrs.  McKenzie—lAght  rose,  fringed  edges.     A  splendid  large 

flower,  very  double,  and  of  excellent  form. 
C.  Peter  Henderson— Vure  white,  very  large  and  double.    This 

is    one    of    the  most  popular  flowers  for    florists'  work. 

Blooms  very  freely. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST..  165 

C.  President  DeOraw — One  of  the  finest,  pure  white,  fringed  and 

double. 
C.  President  Garfield — A  strong,  healthy  grower;  habit  of  growth 

quite  dwarf  and  compact ;  the  flowers  are  of  large  size, 

perfect  form,  highly  fragrant ;  of  rich  vermilion  color. 
C.  Snowdon — Pure  white,  great  bloomer. 
C  Vesuvius — Rich  fiery  scarlet,  exceedingly  double.     Large  size, 

a  free  bloomer,  and  one  of  the  most  valuable  varieties. 

CARPET  BAG  OR  MOCCASIN  FLOWER.      (See   Calceolaria.) 
CELOSI A— Cockscomb  {Half -Hardy  Annual). 

A  class  of  plants  deshable  in  every  collection  on  account  of  the 
singular  and  attractive  appeara,nce  of  the  flowers.  They  possess 
numerous  good  colors,  scarlet  or  crimson  being  the  most  striking, 
the  flowers  with  these  colors  being  exceedingly  rich  and  showy. 
The  plants  are  grown  from  seed  which  should  be  started  in  heat, 
and  transplanted  to  the  garden  after  frosts  are  over,  as  they  are 
easily  killed  by  freezing.  In  the  hot-bed  or  window  give  plenty 
of  air  to  the  young  seedlings  lest  they  dampen  off  or  rot  to  the 
ground.  The  plants,  especially  of  the  dwarf  varieties,  are  weU 
suited  to  pot  culture  in  the  summer,  thri^dng  here  almost  equal 
to  those  plauted  out,  if  the  soil  is  rich  and  sandy.  Some  of  the 
new  varieties  of  late  years  are  attracting  considerable  attention. 
CENTAUREA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  30,  45,  80°). 
An  interesting  and  beautiful  genus  of  white-foliaged  plants 
that  rank  higher  perhaps  among  the  various  kinds  possessing 
similar  attractions  than  any  others,  and  this  too  whether  gi'own 
in  pots,  baskets  or  vases,  or  if  bedded  out.  For  the  last  named 
purpose  they  are  especially  desirable  when  used  for  planting  at 
the  edge  of  beds  containing  Cannas,  Caladiums,  Ricinus  and 
other  tall  growers,  or  for  contrasting  with  Coleus,  Achyranthes, 
etc.,  in  ribbon  lines  and  masses.  They  are  easily  grown  from 
seed,  comparatively  hardy,  and  few  plants  in  our  collection  are 
more  satisfactory  to  the  cultivator. 
C.  Candida— Is  a  lovely  plant  of  neat,  compact,  bushy  growth, 

with  exceedingly  pretty  silver-colored  foliage. 
C.  gymnocarpa — Is  a  variety  with  attractive  cut  foliage,  of 
graceful,  drooping  habit.  It  is  one  of  the  finest  plants 
in  cultivation  for  the  center  of  hanging  baskets,  vases,  etc., 
or  for  bedding  out,  being  also  more  readily  propagated 
than  Candida. 


1 66 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


CENTRADENIA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  55,  95^). 

Beautiful,  neat  plants  adapted  only  to  window  and  conservatory 
culture  in  pots,  or  for  planting  in  ferneries,  baskets,  etc.  They 
delight  in  light  soil,  considerably  enriched  with  leaf  mould  and 
manure.     Are  propagated  from  cuttings. 

C.  grandiflora—^legSint,  narrow,  green  and  crimson  colored  foli- 
age, of  changable  hue. 
C.  rosea— Small  fine  leaves,  of  pretty  form  and  color.     The  plant 
is  profusely  covered  with  small  rose-colored  flowers  during 
a  portion  of  the  year. 

CENTURY  PLANT.    (See  Agave). 


Flower  of  Cereus  Orandiflorus. 

CEREUS  GRANDIFLORUS— Night-Blooming  Cereus  (Green- 
house Perennial,  35,  50,  95°). 

The  flowers  of  this  noted  Cactus,  which  opens  only  at  night, 
are  of  large  size,  beautiful  and  sweet-scented.  They  begin  to 
open  about  sundown,  and  are  fully  expanded  by  eleven  o'clock. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  1 6/ 

The  flower  is  from  seven  to  ten  inches  in  diameter;  the  petals 
are  white  ;  the  outside  of  sepals  a  delicate  brown  and  the  inside 
a  fine  yellow  color.  Its  fragrance  perfumes  the  air  to  consider- 
able distance.  The  plant  is  of  thrifty  habit,  and  as  easily  grown 
to  flower  in  the  house  or  conservatory  as  any  Cactus,  requiring 
the  treatment  described  for  that  family.  Are  -  propagated  from 
cuttings. 

NEW  SEEDING  CEREUS  OR  CACTUS. 

C.  Alice  Wilson— ll\\i^  is  an  entirely  new  and  beautiful  striped 
flowered  Cereus.  The  flowers  are  large,  about  eight  inches 
in  diameter,  of  a  brilliant  scarlet,  with  a  stripe  of  bright 
orange  through  the  center  of  each  petal.  It  flowers  w^hen 
only  six  inches  high. 

C  Dr.  Regel — This  is  without  a  doubt  one  of  the  finest  of  the 
family.  Flowers  very  large  (sometimes  measuring  twenty 
inches  in  diameter),  of  the  purest  white. 

C.  Exquisite — Orange-salmon,  violet  tint. 

C.  Hoveyi — One  of  the  most  superb  sorts,  the  entire  flower  being 
of  a  clear  pinkish-blue  violet  tint,  and  eight  inches  in 
diameter.  It  frequently  comes  into  flower  w^hen  not  more 
than  twelve  inches  in  height. 

C.  Orange  Gem — Orange,  tinted  violet. 

C.  Pink  Queen— BeaMtiful  mauve  pink. 

C.  refulge7is — Scarlet,  with  deep  violet. 

C.  superbuni — Salmon,  tinted  magenta. 

OESTRUM  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  50,  90^). 
Shrubs  from  Brazil;  cultivated  for  the  delicate  fragrance  of 
their  beautiful  flowers,  which  are  borne  in  clusters;  of  easy  cul- 
tivation in  good  loam  and  sand;    excellent  for   conservatories; 
propagated  from  cuttings;  they  are  frequently   called    "Night 
Blooming  Jasmine." 
C.  anriantiacum — Deep  orange  yellow. 
C.  parqui — Pure  white. 

CUOROZEyLA  Y ARIA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  S2,  45,  SO^*). 

A  small  shrubby  plant  for  pot  culture,  with  dark  green  Holly- 
shaped  foliage,  thriving  and  flowering  freely  in  any  cool  place  in 
the  winter.  The  flowers  are  yellow  and  crimson,  of  pea  shape 
and  attractive;  one  of  the  easiest  plants  to  cultivate;  are  increased 
by  cuttings. 


i68 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Laciniatum    Chrysanthemum, 


CHRYSANTHEMUM  {Hardy  Perennial). 

The  Chinese  Chrysanthemums  are  exceedingly  handsome  late 
flowering  plants,  and  although  about  hardy  in  our  latitude,  the 
blossom  bads  are  liable  to  be  injured  by  hard  fall  frosts,  unless 
protected.  The  best  way  to  manage  them  is  to  start  from  cut- 
tings ;  grow  them  in  pots  during  the  summer,  or  bed  and  take 
them  up  and  pot  them  in  September,  in  either  case  removing 
them  to  the  house  or  conservatory,  where  their  many  gorgeous 
flowers  of  various  colors  and  tints  will  expand  in  succession  for 
a  long  time.     If  grown  in  pots  these  should  be  plunged  during 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  1 69 

the  summer  to  the  rim  in  the  border;  it  is  necessary  to  turn  them 
occasionally  to  prevent  the  roots  that  strike  through  the  bottom 
from  growing  into  the  garden  soil.  As  they  start  in  to  bud  treat 
them  to  occasional  waterings  of  liquid  manure.  After  flowering 
the  plants  should  be  cut  down  and  put  in  a  cool  part  of  the  con- 
servatory, in  a  cold-pit  or  in  a  light  cellar  until  spring.  They 
may  be  increased  in  number  either  from  cuttings  of  young  shoots 
or  by  division  of  the  roots  in  the  spring.  The  Chrysanthemums 
are  especially  recommended  to  inexperienced  cultivators,  for  no 
class  of  plants  are  easier  to  manage,  and  besides  they  produce 
their  flowers  late  in  the  autumn  when  all  kinds  of  flowers  are 
scarce. 

JAPANESE  CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

These  are  noted  for  their  varied  forms  and  markings,  together 
with  the  enormous  size  to  which  some  of  the  varieties  attain. 
C.  Abd-el-Kader — Rich  crimson  maroon. 
C.  Beau  Siljaur — Violet  carmine,  tipped  white. 
C.  Bras  Rouge— A  charming  combination  of  gold  and  maroon. 
C.  Early  Red  Dragon — Dark  red,  tipped  yellow. 
C.  Elaine — Pure  white,  back  of  petals  tinted. 
C.  Emperor  Nicholas— 'Red,  tipped  gold. 
C.  Fair  Maid  of  Guernsey — Large  white. 
C.  Golden  Dragon — Golden  yellow. 
C.  Gloire  de  Toulouse— Crimson  and  white. 
C.  grandijlora  Japonica — Large  yellow. 
C.  Hero  of  Magdala — Purplish  red. 
C.  Incomparable — Yellow,  brown  and  crimson. 
C.  Javena—Yery  dark  maroon,  thread-like  petals,  very  striking. 
C.  laciniata — The  white  Japanese  fringed  flower;  a  very  interest- 
ing and  beautiful  variety. 
C  La  Frezure — Amaranth,  reverse  of  petal,  white. 
C.  Magnum  Bonum — Rosy  lilac,  with  a  lighter  back;  large  flower. 
C.  M.  Plancheneau — Rosy  mauve,  shaded  silver. 
C.  M.  Roux — Beautiful  dark  crimson,  white  center. 
C.  Mr.  W.  Bull — Crimson  maroon,  shaded  yellow. 
C  Mons.  Chas.  Huber — Crimson,  tipped  gold. 
C.  Ne  Plus  Ultra  Nova — Lilac,  golden  tips. 
C.  ParasoZ— Golden  buff,  shaded  salmon. 
C.  Snow  White — Very  large,  pure  white. 
C.  Temple  of  Solomon — Rich  golden  yellow. 


170  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

LARGE  FLOWERING  CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

C.  C.   H.    Glover — Rich,    deep    yellow.       Exquisite    form,    free 

bloomer. 
C.  Glori  Mundi —'Bvio;h.t  yellow,  dwarf  habit. 
C.  Golden  Aui^ora — Light  orange  flame. 
C.  Golden  Stai — Fine  golden  yellow. 
C.  John  Lester — Yellow,  shaded  amber. 
C.  John  Poore — White,  shaded  lilac. 
C.  Kate  Reynolds — White,  tipped  yellow. 
C.  La  Nymph — White,  tipped  pink. 
C.  Margaret  de  York — Sulphur  yellow,  fine. 
C.  Mrs.  Geo.  Glenny — Bright  amber. 
C.  Mrs.  Stevens — Pure  white,  finely  formed. 
C.  Mrs.  George  Bundle — Fine  white. 
C.  Princess  Tech — Pure  white,  large  and  full. 
C.  Poly  carp  —  Light  rosy  pink. 
C.  Prince  of  Anemones — Lilac  blush. 
C.  Peter  the  Great — Light,  bright  yellow. 
C.  Refulgence— Rich  purple  maroon. 
C.  Red  Gauntlet — Fine  dark  red. 
C.  Seastris  -  Brownish  red,  with  yellow  shading. 
C.  Webb's  Queen — Perfect  shape,  broad  petals,  pure  ivory  white. 

POMPONE  OR  SMALL  FLOWERING  CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 

C.  alba  perfecta — Pure  white,  bushy  habit. 

C.  Brilliant — Bright  red. 

C.  Boule  de  Neige — White,  imbricated. 

C.  Bob — Dark  brown  crimson;  fine  color;  a  great  favorite. 

C.  Bouquet  Blanche — Pure  white,  intermediate  late. 

C  Cite  of  Flowers — Velvety  crimson,  shaded  amaranth. 

C.  Commodore  Nutt — Size  of  silver  half  dime;  rich,  old  gold  color. 

C.  Crimson  Perfection — Bright  crimson. 

C.  Daisy — Very  small,  pure  white. 

C.  Figaro — Rich  buff,  crimson  edge. 

C.  La  Fabree — Straw  yellow,  fine. 

C.  Mrs.  Campbell — Carmine,  tipped  with  white. 

C.  Mdme  Aristee— Golden  yellow. 

C.  Mont golfier— Rich.  gold,  maroon  tipped. 

C.  Model  of  Perfection— Rich  lilac  and  yellow. 

C.  Mayer  Lusk—Rnrplish  red,  fine. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  I/I 

C.  Perle  des  Beautes — Crimson  amaranth,  pointed  with  seal  brown, 

C.  Petite  Marie — Creamy  white,  dwarf. 

C.  Robert  Kift -Fure  white,  fine. 

C.  sanguineum — Blood  red. 

C.  Serenity — White,  tinged  with  rosy  lavender. 

C.  ;S'?iotO(irop— Sparking  white,  extra  fine. 

C.  Sunray — Deep  golden  yellow. 

C.  White  Eve — Pure  white.  .  . 

CIGAR  PLANT.     See  Cuphea  Platycentra. 

CINERARIA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  75°). 

In  late  winter  and  early  spring,  few  pot  plants  present  a  more 
attractive  appearance  than  do  the  Cinerarias  when  at  the  height 
of  their  beauty,  bearing  immense  crops  of  bright,  handsome  flow- 
ers, in  clusters,  boldly  above  the  large  leaves.  They  are  capital 
plants  for  winter  culture  in  a  cool  greenhouse,  or  with  great  care 
in  a  window,  and  are  raised  from  seeds  sown  annually  at  any 
time  from  July  to  September.  The  culture  suited  to  the  Herbac- 
eous Calceolaria  (which  see)  will  answer  fully  for  the  Cineraria, 
and  any  person  may  expect  to  be  successful  with  their  culture  in 
the  conservatory,  also  in  the  window,  if  a  cool  and  regular  atmos- 
phere can  be  sustained  with  the  admission  of  plenty  of  air.  They 
should  be  kept  near  the  light  and  must  never  be  crowded  as 
regards  root  space  in  the  pots. 

CISSUS  DISCOLOR  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  45,  65,  90°). 

A  climber,  the  leaves  of  which  are  beautifully  shaded  with 
dark  green,  purple  and  white,  the  upper  surface  haviug  a  rich, 
velvet-like  appearance.  The  plant  requires  a  continually  high 
temperature  to  develop  the  beautiful  coloring  of  leaves,  and  there 
will  be  little  use  of  attempting  its  culture  unless  this  can  be  pro- 
vided; but  with  this  and  other  favorable  conditions  supplied  and 
no  plant  in  cultivation  can  exceed  its  rare  beauty  in  the  matter 
of  foliage;  propagated  from  cuttings. 

CLARKIA  {Hardy  Annual). 

Plants  of  considerable  beauty  for  the  garden  and  easily  raised 
from  seed.  The  seed  should  be  sown  directly  where  the  plants 
are  to  flower,  either  early  in  the  spring  or  in  August  and  Septem- 
ber. The  latter  time  of  sowing  is  perhaps  the  best,  by  protecting 
the   young  seedlings,  with  a  slight  covering  of  straw  or  litter 


1/2  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


during  the  winter  and  which  must  be  removed  early  the  follow- 
ing spring.  The  flowers  in  double  and  single  varieties  are  attrac- 
tive in  form  and  color.  They  attain  to  the  greatest  perfection  in 
the  spring  and  autumn,  as  the  hot  sun  of  summer  interferes 
somewhat  with  their  development. 

CLEMATIS  {Hardy  Climber). 

Recently,  the  improvements  made  both  in  the  size  and  coloring 
of  the  Clematis  have  been  very  decided  and  marked,  and  we  have 
now  a  wide  range  of  color,  varying  from  white  to  dark  blue  and 
velvety  purple.  They  are  perfectly  hardy,  of  rapid  growth, 
attaining  a  height  of  twenty  feet,  and  blooming  during  the 
greater  part  of  the  summer  and  fall.  The  effect  produced  by  a 
w^ell-grown  plant  when  in  full  bloom,  is  grand;  propagated  from 
cuttings,  layering  and  root  grafting. 

C.  Blue  Gem — A  most  profuse  bloomer,  continuing  in  full  beauty 
late  into  the  autumn;  flowers  large,   a  most  intense  rich 
blue. 
( ■.  Jean  d^Arc — Flowers  white,  large  and  perfect,  with  three  pale 
blue  stripes  on  each  sepal.      The  plant  is  of  vigorous  habit, 
elegant  in  appearance. 
C.  Jackmanii — Flowers,  when  fully  expanded,  are  from  four  to  six 
inches  in  diameter,  intense  violet  purple,  with  a  rich  vel- 
vety appearance,  distinctly  veined;  perfectly  hardy.     Flow- 
ers continually  from  July  until  cut  off  by  frosts. 
C.  Lady  Caroline  Neville — Fine  flowers,  from  six  to  seven  inches 
in  diameter;  color  delicate  blush  white,  with  a  broad  pur- 
plish lilac  band  in  the  center  of  each  sepal. 
C.  Lucie  Lemoine— Fine,  double  white;  the  flowers  are  composed 
of  seventy-five  to  ninety  sepals.     In  the  first  period  of  its 
flowering  the  blooms  are  semi-circular  in  shape,  resemb- 
ling a  gigantic  double  wdiite  Zinnia. 
C.  Miss  Bateman — A   magniflcent   j)lant,   both  in  growth    and 
flower.    The  blooms  are  large,  of  good  shape,  pure  white; 
banded  with  creamy  white  down  the  center  of  each  sepal. 
C.  rubella — Flowers  of  a  rich  velvety  claret,  the  deepest  color  of 

any  Clematis;  generally  has  six  sepals  to  each  flower. 
C.  Standishii — Flowers  large,  violet  blue;  May  and  June. 
C.  Mme.    Orange — Flowers    large,    purple    violet,  with  maroon 
midrib;  redder  than  any  other  Clematis. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  1 73 

C.  viticella  rubra  grandiflora — A  vigorous  free  growing  variety. 

Flowers  profusely;  color,  violet  red. 
C.  grandiflora — Single  white. 
C.  lanuginosa  pallida— Fale  violet,   with  bright  red  veinings. 

Very  beautiful. 
C  lanuginosa  Candida — Grayish  white;  very  fine. 
C.  The  Queen— Ot  free  habit  and  very  beautiful  foliage.     Flowers 

of  pale  lavender. 
C.  Mrs.  Baker — French  white,  with  claret  bar. 
C.  Modesta— Delicate  lavender;  very  pretty. 
C.  blanc  lilas — White  and  lilac  in  color;  very  large. 
C.  F7'ancofurtensis—W\ne  red,  with  violet  shading. 
C.  lanuginosa  azurea — Bright  azure  blue. 
C.  flamnuda,  European  Sweet  —  Flowers  white,  small  and  very 

sweet  scented. 
C.  virginiana — Common  Virgin's  Bower,  a  native  plant  of  rapid 

growth,  with  clusters  of  small,  white  flowers,  succeeded  in 

autumn  by  fruit  with  conspicuous  feathery  tails. 
C  coccinea — Fine  rosy  scarlet;  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  all 

trailing  plants.     Its  foliage  is  exceedingly  pretty  and  its 

flowers  graceful  and  charming.     It  will  delight  all. 

CLERODENDRON  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  85,  55,  90°). 

Tropical  shrubs,  with  loose  terminal  panicles  of  showy  bloom. 

They  should  be  potted  in  a  mixture  of  peat,  loam  and  manure, 

with  a  little  sand.     When  growing,  give  strong  heat  and  plenty 

of  water;  propagated  from  cuttings. 

C.  Balfouri— The  flowers  are  of  a  bright  scarlet,  encased  in  a 
bag-like  calyx  of  pure  white. 

C.  speciosum — This  variety  is  dwarfer  than  the  preceding  and 
very  free  flowering  ;  the  flowers  are  pure  w^hite,  encased  in 
a  bag- like  calyx  of  bright  scarlet. 

C.  fragans— Dwarf  plant  producing  very  compact  heads  of  pink- 
ish-white double  flowers  of  a  highly  agreeable  scent  such 
as  is  preferred  by  many  to  that  of  either  Daphne,  Tuberose 
or  the  Clove  Carnation.  This  variety  can  also  be  increased 
from  root  cuttings. 

COBOSA  SCANDENS  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  55,  85".) 

An  excellent  climbing  plant  grown  from  seed  or  increased  by 
cuttings,  and  which  is,  perhaps,  more  generally  useful  than  any 


174  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

other  one  grown,  being  alike  suitable  for  the  conservatory,  the 
window  or  the  open  air  in  summer.  The  plants  produce  many 
large,  bell-shaped  flowers  and  magnificent  foliage  when  grown  in 
the  open  ground,  but  are  rather  shy  in  the  former  respect  in  the 
winter  when  cultivated  in  pots,  although  their  growth  is  satis- 
factory, and  the  foliage  endures  the  confined  heat  of  the  dwelling 
admirably.  When  planted  in  a  border,  either  in  the  conservatory 
or  in  a  sheltered  place  out  doors,  the  growth  of  well  established 
plants  attain  to  great  proportions,  having  been  known  to  reach 
an  aggregate  length  of  two  hundred  feet  in  one  season.  The 
seeds  require  starting  in  heat  and  should  be  set  edgewise  in  the 
soil  of  the  seed  bed.  Until  the  young  plants  appear,  water  rather 
lightly,  but  never  allow  the  soil  to  get  entirely  dry.  The  Coboea 
delights  in  a  warm,  sandy  soil. 

COCCOLOBA  PLATYCLADA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  50,  85^). 

A  singular  looking  pot  or  bedding  plant  of  fern-like,  angular 
growth.  It  is  readily  grown,  under  almost  any  circumstances, 
and  is  suitable  for  cultiva,ting  in  ferneries,  while  it  is  not  out  of 
place  in  a  hanging  basket.  On  account  of  its  grotesuue  appear- 
ance, it  will  be  admired  where  many  flowering  plants  would 
scarcely  attract  attention.     Propagates  from  cuttings. 

COCKSCOMB.     (See  Celosia.) 

COLEUS  [Greenhouse  Perennial,  40,  60,  90'). 

This  popular  genus  of  comparatively  recent  introduction,  pos- 
sesses the  most  varied  and  striking  colors  imaginable  in  the  foli- 
age, while  unlike  mmy  other  plants  with  remarkable  foliage 
these  may  be  propagated  and  grown  with  the  greatest  ease. 
There  is  one,  and  about  only  one  special  condition,  that  is  abso- 
lutely essential  to  its  well  doing,  and  that  is  a  high  temperature. 
Where  this  is  present,  the  plants  will  grow  with  the  greatest 
freedom,  either  in  the  open  air,  the  window  or  conservatory,  and 
form  strong  plants  of  remarkable  beauty  in  a  very  short  space  of 
time.  It  is  on  account  of  their  rapid  growth,  and  great  beauty, 
that  such  vigorous  varieties  as  Verschafl'eltii,  Setting  Sun  and 
others,  rank  among  the  best  plants  for  masses  in  ribbon  lines, 
even  though  naturally  tender.  In  our  dwellings  that  are  heated 
by  anthracite  coal  stoves  or  ranges,  and  in  which  the  fire  is  kept 
up  day  and  night,  the  Coleus  if  grown  in  pots  or  baskets  wiU 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


175 


Coleus. 


usually  do  very  well.  Some  plants  may  be  raised  for  winter 
decoration  by  striking  cuttings  in  July  or  August  for  the  pur- 
pose. Plant  into  light,  rich  soil  and  water  moderately  during 
winter,  also  paying  attention  to  heading  back  strong  growing 
shoots,  to  prevent  an  unshapely  appearance.  Propagated  from 
cuttings  or  seed. 
C.  Acme— Foliage  large,  under  good  cultivation  10  to  12  inches  long 

and  8  to  10  wide;  ground  color  deep  chocolate  and  creamy 

white,  beautifully  veined  and  striped. 
C.  Fairy  Knoll  -  Carmine  rose,  rimmed  with  velvety  maroon. 
C.  Garland — New,  elegantly  colored  with  purple,  cream,  green 

and  carmine,   deeply    serrated    edges,    forming  miniature 

leaflets  of  great  beauty. 


176  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

C.  Glory  of  Autumn — Deep  crimson  bronze,  margined  gold. 

C.  Golden  Bedder — A  grand  acquisition  for  bedding  ;  bright  yel- 
low ;  recommended. 

C.  Hero — Chocolate  maroon  ;  fine  bedder. 

C.  Innisfallen — A  grand  bedding  variety ;  rich  prune  color, 
blotched  with  garnet ;  extra  fine. 

C.  J.  Burnsham  (New)— Yellow  and  crimson  ;  spotted. 

C.  Joseph's  Coat — The  leaves  present  a  gorgeous  blending  of 
maroon,  yellow,  rose,  olive  and  carmine. 

C.  Kentish  Fire — Pink,  carmine  and  bronze. 

C.  Kirk  AUoivay — Blazing  shades  of  color ;  violet,  suffused  car- 
mine and  rose. 

C.  Kirkpatrick — Large  leaf,  blotched  in  the  centre  like  Geranium 
Happy  Thought. 

C.  Mr.  Micawher — Olive  green,  distinctly  marked  in  the  centre 
with  violet  rose  ;  beautiful. 

C.  Mrs.  Humphreys — Light  claret,  rimmed  yellow. 

C.  multicolor — Maroon  and  crimson. 

C.  Picta — Marbled  yellow,  maroon  and  crimson. 

C.  President  Garfield — A  grand  variety  ;  leaves  eight  to  ten  inches 
long,  six  to  eight  wide,  color  chocolate,  marbled  with  bright 
rosy  carmine . 

C.  Queen  of  the  Lawn — Dazzling  carmine,  rimmed  with  velvety 
maroon. 

C.  Rocket — Violet,  rose  centre,  black  next  and  oUve  green  serrated 
edge. 

C.  Ruby — Rich  crimson  maroon  ;  centre  dark  rose  color,  beauti- 
fully fringed  edges  ;  a  suberb  variety. 

C.  Sensation — A  new  and  beautiful  sort ;  edge  of  leaf  chocolate, 
then  a  circle  of  maroon,  with  large  centre  of  bright  red . 

C.  Setting  Sun — Bronze,  crimson  centre,  bright  golden  margin ; 
splendid  bedding  variety. 

C.  Spotted  G^ewi— Yellow  ground,  regularly  blotched  crimson, 
green  and  orange. 

C.  Suez -^\oo(\.  red,  shaded  and  veined  violet,  rose  and  bronze. 

C.  Verschaffeltii — Rich  velvet  crimson  ;  best  bedder. 

COLUMBINE.     (See  Aquilegia.) 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  I77 


CONVOLVULUS  {Hardy  Annual). 

Convolvulus  Major  (Morning  Glory). — One  of  the  best-known 
climbing  plants  in  cultivation  and  most  excellent  for  covering 
trellises,  rustic  work,  cords  for  shading  the  veranda,  etc.,  during 
the  summer.  There  are  many  varieties  of  different  colors,  all  of 
which  are  more  or  less  attractive.  It  comes  very  easily  from  the 
seed,  which  should  be  sown  in  the  open  ground  early  in  the  spring. 
As  soon  as  the  young  plants  stretch  forth  for  support  on  which  to 
spin,  it  should  be  seen  that  something  suitable  is  provided,  as  they 
do  not  take  hold  so  readily  after  getting  older,  besides  they  be- 
come entangled  with  each  other. 

Convolvulus  Minor  (Dwarf  Convolvulus). — Free  flowering  an- 
nuals of  distinct  and  rich  colors,  that  are  desirable  for  massing  or 
for  individual  effect.  The  seeds  germinate  readily,  and  may  be 
sown  where  they  are  to  flower.  Thin  out  the  plants  to  stand  not 
nearer  than  fifteen  inches  apart  in  rich  soil. 


CORONILLA  {Greeiiliouse  Perennial,  34,  50,  90°). 

Pretty  flowering  shrubs  of  easy  culture,  especially  adapted  for 
winter  blooming;  the  species  have  been  long  under  cultivation 
and  is  much  esteemed;  propagated  from  cuttings  or  seed. 

C  glauca — Splendid  fine  foliage,  and  produces  bright  yellow, pea- 
shaped  flowers  in  great  profusion,  which  are  very  fragrant. 

CRAPE  MYRTLE.      (See  Lagerstroemia.) 

CRASSULA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  34,  45,  80'). 

Succulent  greenhouse  plants  with  fleshy  stems  and  leaves,  and 
producing  either  pink  or  white  flowers.  Many  of  them  form 
curious  specimens  on  account  of  their  forms.  For  potting  use 
light  sandy  loam  with  plenty  of  drainage;  propagated  from  cut- 
tings and  seeds. 

C.  cordata— Of  strong  growth,  with  a  profusion  of  pinkish  white 
flowers. 

C.  portutacea    Of  strong  growth,  with  thick  leaves ;  flowers  white. 


178 


THE    HOME   FLORIST 


Crassula. 

C.  perfoliata — A  dwarf  plant,  forming  a  perfect  rosette;  blooms 
about  Christmas,  at  which  time  it  throws  up  long  stems, 
surmounted  by  large  clusters  of  small,  white,  star-shaped 
flowers. 

CROCUS  (Hardij  Bulb). 

The  Crocus  is  an  interesting  class  of  bulbous  plants,  and  which 
produces  its  flowers  in  the  open  air  from  the  month  of  March  and 
up  to  the  flowering  of  Hyacinths.  Being  thus  very  early,  and 
also  very  showy  when  in  bloom,  they  should  have  a  place  in  every 
garden.  The  flowers  are  white,  blue,  yellow  and  striped,  and 
present  a  gay  appearance,  as  they  appear  with  few  companions 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


179 


Crocus. 


Crotons. 


at  their  early  season  of  flowering.  The  bulbs  require  to  be 
planted  in  the  fall,  and  should  be  set  about  three  inches  apart  and 
not  more  than  two  inches  deep.  Their  culture,  in  common  with 
other  hardy  bulbs,  is  treated  on  on  page  32.  The  Crocus  will  also 
flower  well  in  the  house.  Directions  for  cultivation  in  pots, 
glasses,  etc.,  is  given  on  page  52. 

CROTONS  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  40,  60,  90°). 

The  Crotons  are  among  the  finest  decorative  foliage  plants 
known.  The  leaves  of  all  are  more  or  less  veined  and  margined, 
sometimes  entirely  variegated  with  shades  of  yellow,  orange  and 
crimson.  Some  have  long  narrow  leaves,  arching  gracefully, 
fountain-fashion.  Others  broad  and  short,  oak-leaved;  some  re. 
curved  very  much;  others  twisted,  cork-screw  like.  Crotons  love 
heat,  sunshine  and  moisture;  propagated  from  cuttings. 
C.  andrianum — Neat    habit;   free  growth;  foliage   colored   in  a 

most  delightful  manner;  one  of  the  best. 
C.  angustifoUum — Leaves  long  and  narrow,  golden  yellow. 
C.  aciibifolium — Foliage  dark  glossy  green,  studded  with  yellow 

blotches,  midrib  and  veins  slightly  tinged  with  pink. 
C.  awrea  maci<7afws— Small  leaved;  neat  habit;  leaves  ovate,  ob- 
long, deep  bright  green,  profusely  spotted  with  yellow. 


I  So  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


C=  Bismark — Leaves  almost  fiddle-shaped;  base  broadest  and 
ovate,  the  apex  swelling  out  into  an  ovate  form;  color  deej) 
green,  with  broad  band  of  golden  yellow  along  the  costa, 
and  yellow  markings  indicating  the  course  of  the  lateral 
vems,  with  yellow  blotches  scattered  over  the  surface. 

C,  Camptopliyllus — Foliage  very  narrow  and  richly  mottled  with 
golden  yellow;  a  fine  dwarf  growing  variety,  distinct  from 
all  others. 

C.  cascariUa — Narrow  leaved,  light  green,  yellow  blotched. 

C.  cornutum — Green,  with  a  profusion  of  sj)ots  of  rich  yellow. 

C.  Disraeli — A  lobed  variety,  with  golden  yellow  ribs  and  spots. 

C.  Earl  of  Derby — A  remarkable  trilobe  variety,  the  stems  and 
mid-rib  being  a  very  bright  yellow,  which  diffuses  itself 
over  a  greater  part  of  the  leaf;  this,  as  the  plant  matures, 
becomes  a  bright  red. 

C  elegans — Bright  green,  striped  with  golden  yello^w. 

C.  Evancianus— Well  distinguished  by  the  peculiar  form  of  its 
triobated  leaves  and  the  depth  of  coloring  pervading  the 
whole  plant;  newest-formed  leaves  are  light  olive  green  and 
golden  yellow,  deepening  and  changing  to  bronzy  crimson 
and  orange  scarlet  in  the  older  oneSc 

C.  Mllianum — Eibs  and  veins  crimson,  dark  purple  beneath. 

C.  Imperator,  orChallengei — Leaves  from  12  to  18  inches  long,  2 
to  3  inches  wide,  and  gracefully  arching;  ground  color  pale 
green,  much  suffused  with  creamy  white,  changing  to  ma- 
genta. 

C.  interruptum — Long  naiTow  leaves,  spotted  with  yellow. 

C.  irregulars — Leaves  long,  marbled  with  different  shades  of  yel- 
low, orange  and  crimson;  leaves  are  irregular  in  shape, 
often  changing  in  form. 

C.  Joho.nnes — Leaves  a  foot  or  more  long,  narrow  and  pendulous; 
ground  color,  bright  shining  green;  margin  and  mid-rib 
bright  orange  yellow. 

C.  longifolium—'Lea.Yes  green,  blotched  and  striped  with  golden 
yellow;  very  long  and  graceful;  a  magnificent  plant. 

C.  Lord  Cairns — Leaves  trilobate,  the  middle  lobe  considerably 
elongated,  with  a  broader  expansion  toward  the  point; 
ground  color  bright  green;  mid-ribs  bright  yellow,  and 
blotches  of  same  color. 

C.  maximum — Leaves  shining  green;  mid-rib  and  cross-base,  from 
mid-rib  to  margin,  yellow;  leaves  ovate-acuminate. 


-THE    HOME   FLORIST.  l8l 


C.  maculatus  Katonii—hesi\es  fiddle-shaped,  but  very  irregular, 

of  an  olive-green  color,   si:)otted  with  rather  large  golden 

spots  ;  compact  in  habit. 
C.  majestictim — Mottled  and  margined  with  crimson  and  yellow. 
C.  Moreanus — Mid-rib  and   margins   of  leaf  clear  orange,  blade 

crossed  with  paralleled  bands  of  the  same  color  upon  a  deep 

green  ground;  robust  grower. 
C.    multicolor — Leaves  light   green,  blotched   with   yellow,    but 

changing  to  glossy  green,  blotched  with  yellow,    reddish 

yellow  and  red,  the  mid-rib  crimson. 

C  Nohilis — Long,  pendulous  leaves,  richly  colored  with  crimson, 
yellow  and  green,  the  former  being  most  prominent  in  the 
stem  leaves,  stalks  and  mid-rib,  where  it  is  banded  with 
yellow. 

C.  o^'aZi/oZMt7?i— Oval  outline, central  golden  bar  and  reticulations. 

C.  Princess  of  TFaZes —The  handsomest  of  all  the  narrow-leaved 
types;  fine  branching  habit;  leaves  pendulous,  arching  and 
slightly  twisted;  margins  undulating;  colors  are  pale  yel- 
low, briglit  carmine,  bright  magenta  and  irregular  blotches 
of  light  green. 

C.  pictum — Dark  green  foliage,  spotted  with  rich  reddish  crimson. 

C.  Queen  Victoria — Growth  medium  ;  habit  branching  ;  leaves 
oblong  ;  lanceolate  ;  colors  golden  yellow,  rich  magenta, 
crimson-carmine  and  green. 

C.  sjnrale— Curious  spiral  twisting  leaves,  with  markings  of  yel- 
low. 

C.  undidatam — Edges  of  leaves  undulating,  marked  and  blotched, 
crimson  and  yellow,  on  dark  green  ground. 

C.  variegatiim — Veins  broadly  margined  with  golden  yellow. 

C.  VeitcJiii — Leaves  attain  a  length  of  twelve  to  fourteen  inches, 
and  two  and  a  half  inches  broad;  they  are  traversed  with 
broad  bands  of  creamy  yellow,  changing  to  rose  and  car- 
mine purple. 

C.  volutam — Leaves  rolled  up  from  the  end  like  a  ram's  horn: 
ground  color  deep  green;  mid-rib  golden  and  rays  of  same 
color  towards  the  margin. 

C.  Weismanii — Leaves  often  twelve  inches  long  and  three-quarters 
of  an  inch  wide;  ground  color  sliining  white  green,  striped 
and  mottled  with  golden  yellow. 


1 82  THE    HOAIE    FLORIST. 

C.  Youngii  -Leaves  from  one  and  a  half  to  two  feet  in  length: 
deep  red  underneath,  upper  surface  dark  green,  densely 
blotched  with  creamy  yellow  and  bright  rosy  red. 

CROWN  IMPERIAL  (Hardy  Bulb). 

An  old-fashioned,  early  spring-flowering  bulb,  bearing  on  a 
stem,  several  feet  high,  drooping  bell-shaped  flowers,  which,  in 
their  arrangement  around  the  stalk,  may  be  fancied  to  resemble 
a  crown.  There  are  both  double  and  single  varieties,  the  colors 
of  which  are  principally  yellow  and  red.  They  delight  in  a  deep 
rich  bed,  and  should  not  have  their  bulbs  lifted  for  re-setting 
oftener  than  every  third  year. 

CUPHEA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  80°). 

Pretty  shrub-like  plants  adapted  to  a  variety  of  purposes;  they 
are  almost  constantly  in  bloom  under  fair  circumstances.  The 
plants  thi'ive  beautifully  in  hanging  baskets  or  vases,  or  if  planted 
out  in  the  border  where  they  will,  during  the  season,  assume  a 
dense  globular  form  and  constantly  produce  an  abundance  of 
flowers.  They  are  also  valuable  as  pot  plants  for  the  window, 
where  their  free-flowering,  and  other  qualities  make  them  great 
favorites;  propagated  from  cutti^-gs. 
C.  platycentra  (Cigar  Plant)— Tube  of  .flowers  scarlet;  lip  white 

and  crimson. 
C.  hyssopifolia— heaves  dark  glossy  green,  flowers  bright  lilac, 
C.  Mllfildia7ia— Tube  of  flowers  purple;  lip  and  throat  darker. 

CYCLAMEN  PERSICUM  (Greenhouse  Bulb,  35,  55,  75°). 

Beautiful  plants  for  the  window  or  conservatory,  with  finely 
marked  foliage,  and  which  produce  from  autumn  until  spring  a 
profusion  of  drooping  flowers  of  the  most  pleasing  appearance,  on 
long  stems.  Tlie  soil  in  which  they  are  grown  needs  to  be  rich  and 
of  a  light  nature.  After  the  plants  have  done  flowering  they  may 
be  plunged  in  the  open  ground  for  the  summer  and  receive  a  shift 
into  larger  pots  for  another  season's  growth,  in  August  or  Sep- 
tember, The  plants  are  raised  from  seed,  which  may  be  sown  at 
any  time  from  early  spring  until  mid-summer,  for  flowering  the 
next  year. 


THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


1S3 


Cyclamen  Persicum. 

C.  persicum  giganteum — This  is  a  decided  improvement  over  the 

preceding    variety,    being;  of  a    more    robust    habit   and 

stronger  grower;  produces  its  flowers  on  stout  stems  some- 

,    what  shorter  than  in  old  variety,  and  of  immense  size,  often 

measuring  on  well  grown  bulbs,  two  inches  in  diameter. 

CYPERUS  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  85°). 

A  grass-like  plant,  throwing  up  stems  to  the  height  of  about 
two  feet,  surmounted  at  the  top  by  a  cluster  or  whorl  of  leaves, 
diverging  horizontally,  giving  the  plant  a  very  curious  appear- 
ance. A  splendid  plant  for  the  center  of  baskets,  vases,  or  ward- 
ian  cases,  or  as  a  water-plant. 
C.   alternifolms— An  attractive  rush-like  plant,   of  a  pleasing 

bright  green  color. 
C.  alternifolius  variegatns  -  A  beautiful  form,  striped  with  white. 

CYPRESS  VINE.     See  Ipomoea. 


1 84 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


CYTISUS  RACEMOSUS  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  80°). 

Cytisus  Racemosus  is  a  winter  flowering  pot  plant,  suitable  for 
the  window  or  conservatory,  and  which  assumes  an  irregular 
bushy  form  of  growth,  which  is  very  attractive.  The  flowers  are 
small,  fragrant  and  of  a  pleasing,  deep  golden  yellow,  borne  on 
racemes,  and  for  a  long  time,  give  the  plant  a  beautiful  appear- 
ance. It  is  rather  difficult  to  i)ropagate,  this  being  done  from 
cuttings. 


DAFFODIL.     See  Narcissus. 


Dahlia. 

DAHLIA  {Tender  Tuber), 

Well  known  tuberous  plants,  only  suitable  for  open-air  culture, 
which  produce  flowers  of  the  most  symmetrical  form,  and  of  bril- 
liant and  good  colors,  during  the  summer  and  autumn  months. 
The  plants  luxuriate  in  a  moist,  rich  soil.  In  dry  weather  the 
flowers  will  be  finer,  and  the  plants  grow  better,  by  receiving  a 
thorough  watering  occasionally  of  an  evening.  Nothing  gives 
thrifty  Dahlias  a  better  appearance  than  to  keep  them  neatly  tied 
to  strong  stakes  about  four  feet  long,  driven  by  each  plant.  All 
flowers  should  be  removed  as  soon  as  they  begin  to  decay,  and 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  1 85 


imperfect  buds  be  cut  off.  The  tubers  should  be  lifted  after  frosts 
have  killed  the  stalk,  usually  in  October  in  our  latitude.  They 
should  then  be  properly  labeled,  and  after  drying,  either  in  the 
sun  or  in  an  open  slied,  be  packed  in  sand  and  kept  in  a  dry, 
warm  cellar  during  winter  or  under  the  benches  in  the  conserva- 
tory. In  the  followiug  spring  they  may  be  divided  into  pieces, 
each  with  a  crown,  and  planted  in  the  flower  beds  again.  Their 
flowering  season  is  considerably  advanced  by  starting  them  in 
heat  in  April  and  keeping  them  there  up  to  near  the  first  of  June, 
before  planting  them  out;  are  also  readily  propagated  by  cuttings. 

DAHLIAS— Large  Flowering. 

D.  Amazon— Yellow,  margin  fringed  red. 

D.  Aglea — White,  tipped  rose. 

D.  Chief — White,  edged  dark  crimson. 

D.  Dom  Pedro — Scarlet,  tipped  white. 

D.  Duchesse  de  Cambridge — Blush,  tipped  and  edged  with  dark 

purple;  fine  form. 
D.  Dr.  J.  P.  Kirtland — Dark  red,  very  large,  good  form. 
D.  Frank  Smith — Bright  red. 
D.  Forget-Me-Not — Crimson,  largely  tipped  white. 
D.  Golden  Bedder— Fine  yellow. 
D.  Hoofmeister — Yellow,  tipped  red. 
D.  Helen  Potter — Blush  white. 
D.  Her cides— Yellow  ground,    striped    and    speckled   with   rich 

crimson. 
jD.  incarnata  rosea— White,  shaded  with  bright  rose. 
D.  John  Beymett^Yellow,  deeply  edged  scarlet. 
D.  John  Sladden — Nearly  black;  fine  form. 
D.  Kleiner  Knah^^— White,  tinged  and  tipped  with  rosy  purple, 
D.  La  Phare — Deep  scarlet;  free  bloomer. 
D.  L' Emancipe — Orange  and  violet. 
D.  Madam  Perignon— Rose  and  salmon,  tipped  white. 
D.  Mrs.  Wheeler— Rich,  deep  scarlet;  solid,  fine  flower. 
D.  Mary  Eustace— White,  with  flesh- colored  center. 
D.  Mrs.  DocZcZ— Lemon  yellow;  fine  form. 
D.  Niger — Dark  maroon;  fine  form. 
D.  Ohlata — Pure  white. 
D.  Princesse — White,  large,  full. 
D.  Queen  Victoria — Yellow,  red  margin. 
D.  Peine  de  Prusse — Dark  cherry,  largely  tipped  with  white. 


1 86  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


D.  Royal  Purple — Very  free. 

D.  Sambo— Rich,  maroon,  tinted  black. 

D.  Summit  of  Cntpfo?i— Dark  maroon. 

D.  Tam  O' Shanter—^\n&\\  lilac. 

D.  Yellow  50?/- Bright  golden  yellow. 

DAHLIAS— PoMPONE  OR  Bouquet. 
This  class  includes  all  the  colors  of  the  larger  flowering  sorts. 
Being  more  dwarf  and  compact  in  habit  of  growth,  they  are  very 
valuable  for  bedding  purposes  and  cut  flowers. 
D.  Dr.  Webb— Rich,  scarlet,  small. 
D.  Exquisite— Orange,  scarlet  edge. 
D.  Gluwurmchen — Brilliant  scarlet. 
D.  Goldfinch— Yellow,  scarlet  and  white. 
D.  Guiding  Star — Pure  white;  fimbriated. 
D.  Harry — Dark  red,  spotted  and  tipped  white. 
D.  Kleiner  Schutze—Deep  scarlet,  distinctly  tipped  white. 
D.  Ladies'  Jewel— White,  with  crimson  tip. 
D.  Seraph — Buff  yellow,  tipped  orange  red. 
D.  Scarlet  Gem — Bright  scarlet. 

DAHLIAS— Single. 

This  new  section  of  the  Dahlia  family  has  now  become  exceed- 
ingly fashionable,  owing  to  the  value  attached  to  the  cut  blooms, 
their  airy,  butterfly-like  forms  giving  the  flower  a  grace  never 
attained  by  the  finest  double  sorts.     The  flowers  range  from  three 
to  flve  inches  in  diameter,  all  having  a  bright  yellow  center  sur- 
rounded with  petals  running  through  all  the  shades  of  scarlet, 
crimson,  rose,  yellow,  orange,  white,  lilac,  carmine,  etc. 
D.  Butterfly— A  beautiful  shade  of  pink. 
D.  Ballot — Deep  carmine;  large  and  showy. 
D.  Moonstone— luarge,  light  canary  yellow. 
D.  Sandusky — Orange;  immense  size;  very  distinct  disc. 
D.  Chancellor— Belicsite  lilac;  large  size,  free  blooming. 
D.  Crichton— Maroon,  of  a  rich  velvety  shade. 
D.  White  Queen— Rure  white,  lily-like  flower,  with  yellow  disc. 
D.  Corsage— Intense  bright  scarlet;  very  fine. 
D.  Vicarage — Bright  vermilion;  large. 

DAHLIAS— Cactus. 

This  new  class  of  Dahlias  has  opened  up  an  entirely  different 
section,     They  are  intermediate  between  the  double  and  single 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


187 


varieties,  of  peculiar  and  veiy  pleasing  form,  resembling  some- 
what some  of  the  Japanese  Chrysanthemums,  and  we  have  no 
doubt  there  will  soon  be  as  many  colors  as  there  are  now  in  the 
otlier  classes. 

D.  Imperial  Prince— K  variety  with  plaited  fiat  petals  about  half 
an  inch  wide,  somewhat  twisted;  color  rich  deep  Tyrian 
purple;  dwarf  and  early  flowering. 

Z).  t/warem— A  most  valuable  and  very  decorative  plant  for  all 
purposes  through  the  late  summer  and  autumn  months;  its 
blossoms  are  of  a  rich  crimson,  and  very  much  resemble  in 
shape  and  color  the  well-known  Cactus,  Cereus  Speciosissi- 
mus;  height  about  3  feet,  very  bushy;  flowers  of  very  strik- 
ing appearance,  and  quite  unlike  those  of  an  ordinary  dou- 
ble Dahlia,  the  florets  being  flat  and  not  cupped. 

D.  Lyndhurst— The  same  style  of  flower  as  the  preceding  variety, 
excepting  that  the  color  is  of  the  brightest  scarlet.  It  com- 
m.ences  to  flower  about  two  weeks  earlier. 


•«>^»>^s=  "c.-— L^- 


Daisy. 

DAISY— Bellis  Perennis  {Hardy  Perennial). 

A  pretty  little  plant  for  the  garden,  which,  in  the  better  sorts, 

bear  a  profusion  of  perfectly  double  flowers,  of  red,  white  and 

variegated  colors,  throughout  all  but  the  hottest  portion  of  the 

season.    The  plants  are  propagated  by  division  and  also  from  the 


1 88  THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


seed,  but  are  not  very  satisfactory  if  reared  from  the  latter,  as  a 
largo  proportion  alwa3s  will  come  single  or  only  semi- double 
from  the  best  of  seed.  Set  the  plants  about  six  inches  apart,  and 
protect  slightly  in  winter.  A  few  may  be  potted  in  the  fall  to 
flower  in  a  cool  place  in  the  window  or  conservatory  during  the 
winter. 

DAPHNE  {Greenhouse  and  Hardy  Perennials). 

An  extensive  genus  of  small  shrubs  (mostly  evergreen),  with 
very  beautiful,  fragrant  flowers:  grow  in  good,  turfy  loam,  with 
a  little  sand  and  manure.  Drain  the  j^ots  well.  The  following 
variety  is  much  prized  : 

D.  Indica  (33,  45,  85°) — An  old  greenhouse  plant,  always  scarce. 
It  is  evergreen,  growing  three  feet  high,  bearing  clusters  of 
small,  pinkish- white  flowers,  exquisitely  fragrant;  it  prop- 
agates from  cuttings. 

There  is  also  a  variety  {D.  eneorum)  which  is  a  hardy  trailing 
evergreen  shrub,  growing  about  a  foot  high,  which  produces 
beautiful  pink  or  crimson,  deliciously  sweet-scented  flowers  in 
terminal  clusters,  in  April  and  May;  it  is  propagated  by  layers. 

DELPHINIUM— Larkspur    {Hardy  Annuals  and    Perennials). 

Annual  Delphiniums — A  class  of  annuals  possessing  bright 
colors  and  free  flowering  qualities  to  an  extent  that  render  them 
worthy  of  culture  in  every  considerable  collection.  The  dwarf 
varieties  are  regarded,  as  the  most  beautiful,  attaining  as  they  do 
a  height  of  one  foot,  and  throwing  up  a  flower  shoot  that  some- 
what resembles  a  Hyacinth.  These  should  stand  at  a  distance  of 
six  inches  from  each  other,  and  the  tall  varieties  a  foot  and  a  half 
apart.     Sow  where  they  are  to  bloom. 

Delphinium  Formosum  is  one  of  the  most  desirable  hardy  per- 
ennials in  cultivation.  It  blooms  more  or  less  freely  from  July 
until  November,  yielding  exceedingly  attractive  flowers.  The 
flowers  are  large,  of  a  dark  blue,  with  the  centre  white,  shaded 
with  reddish  purple  and  produced  in  spikes.  There  are  a  number 
of  other  varieties  similar  to  this  one  excepting  in  the  colors.  When 
the  plants  of  the  hardy  kinds  become  large  they  should  be  divided 
and  reset;  they  can  also  be  grown  true  from  seed,  which  should 
be  sown  in  the  spring,  and  will  flower  the  next  summer. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


189 


DEUTZTA.  {Hardy  Shrub.) 


Deiifzia. 


Although  a  family  of  hardy 
shrubs,  and  one  of  the  best  for 
permanent  planting,  the  varieties 
Deutzia  gracilis,  pure  white, 
and  Deutzia  crenata,  fl.  pL,  dou- 
ble, pure  white,  serve  admirably 
for  pot  culture  and  forcing  in  the 
window  or  conservatory.  The 
plants  should  be  grown  in  the 
open  ground,  and  after  the 
leaves  have  fallen  in  autumn,  be 
brought  into  the  cold-pit  or  cel- 
lar, until  New  Year's,  after 
which  time  they  may  be  moved 
to  the  window  or  conservatory 
for  flowering.  With  bearing  a 
profusion  of  pretty  flowers  in 
due  time  nothing  can  be  hand- 
somer. Propagated  from  cut- 
tings. 


DIANTHUS  {Hardy  Perennial). 
This  is  an  extensive  genus  of  desirable  flowering  plants,  which 
embrace  numerous  important  kinds,  the  Carnation,  Garden  Pink, 
Sweet  William,  etc.,  being  of  the  number.  I  shall  here  treat  of 
those  that  are  generally  raised  from  seed,  the  other  will  be  found 
under  their  respective  heads.  The  species  known  as  D.  Chiucnsis, 
embracing  the  old  Chinese  pink,  which  has  been  very  mr_ch  im- 
proved of  late  years, and  the  new  and  superb  v^arieties  from  Japan, 
known  as  D.  Heddeicigii  and  D.  lacinatus,  with  the  new  varieties 
that  have  sprung  from  them  by  hj^bridization,  are  among  the 
most  brilliant  and  useful  of  garden  flowers.  They  are  easily 
grown  from  seed  in  any  good  soil,  and  flower  freely  throughout 
the  season,  even  up  to  winter.  This  they  will  do  for  several 
years,  provided  they  are  in  suitable  condition  for  surviving  the 
winter.  For  keeping  over  it  is  better  to  secure  strong,  stocky 
plants  by  pruning  them  back  somewhat  at  times,  even  at  the  loss 
of  some  bloom,  for  then  they  will  not  only  winter  better,  but  will 
produce  larger  and  finer  flowers  the  second  season.  The  seed  may 


1 90  THE   HOME   FLORISl . 

be  sown  in  heat  and  the  young  plants  transplanted  to  the  garden, 
if  large  plants  are  desired  the  first  year,  or  by  sowing  in  the  gar- 
den at  any  time  from  late  spring  until  September,  excellent 
plants  may  be  had  for  flowering  the  following  year.  The  plants 
should  be  set  at  a  distance  of  from  six  to  twelve  inches  apart. 

DiANTHUS  Barbatus  (Sweet  William),  useful  garden  perennials, 
with  double  and  single  flowers  of  various  colors.  They  have  long 
been  in  cultivation,  but  great  improvements  have  been  made  in 
the  quality  of  the  flowers,  as  well  as  in  the  list  of  desirable  varie- 
ties. Easily  raised  from  seed,  or  fine  varieties  may  be  perpetuated 
by  dividing  the  roots  after  they  have  flowered. 

DICENTRA     SPECTABILIS— Love    Lies    Bleeding     {Hardy 
Herbaceous  Perennial). 

One  of  our  most  ornamental,  spring-flowering  hardy  plants, 
and  also  excellent  for  forcing  in  the  window  or  conservatory. 
The  flowers,  which  appear  in  racemes,  on  long,  drooping  stems, 
are  of  a  bright,  rosy  pink,  with  a  pearly  white  corolla.  As  they 
are  produced  by  hundreds  o:t.  large  plants  in  the  open  air,  they 
serve  to  render  the  plant  for  the  time  one  of  the  most  attractive 
objects  the  garden  can  possess.  For  winter  flowering  the  plants 
should  be  taken  up  in  October,  be  potted,  and  placed  in  a  cold- 
pit  or  some  place  where  they  may  be  got  at  in  the  winter.  Any 
time  after  cold  weather  sets  in  (the  plants  should  go  through  at 
least  one  freeze),  they  may  be  brought  indoors,  and  will  flower  in 
about  two  months  afterwards.    Increased  by  division  of  the  roots. 

DIEFFENBACHIA  [Greenhouse  Perennials,  45,  60,  95°). 
A  genus  of  greenhouse  plants  grown  for  their  strikingly  showy 
foliage.     Use  peat  and  loam  in  equal  parts,  with  a  little  sand. 
Give  them  a  strong  heat,  and  water  as  well  as  syringe  frequently. 
Propagated  by  division  and  by  cuttings. 
D.  Bausii—^e-w  and  rare,  charmingly  tinted. 
D.  Srasi'Ziensis— Elegantly  mottled  with  white. 
D.  nobilis—Dee-p  rich  green,  marked  with  irregular  large  white 

spots. 
D.  nova  sj3.— A  species,  with  leaves  long,  narrow,  light  green. 
D.  picta—K  handsome  plant,  striped  and  spotted  with  white. 

DIGITALIS — Fox  Glove  {Hardy  Biennial). 
A  well-known  hardy  border  plant,  flowering  in  June  and  July, 
possessing  great  beauty.     The  flowers  in  the  different  varieties  are 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  I9I 


purple,  crimson,  white  and  spotted,  as  to  color;  have  a  thimble- 
like shape,  and  are  produced  in  dense  spikes.  The  plants  may  be 
propagated  by  sowing  the  seed  in  the  spring  or  up  to  the  middle 
of  August,  and  then  they  flower  the  second  year,  or  the  roots 
may  be  divided  and  reset  annually. 

DRAC^NA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  65,  95"). 

Tropical  plants  of  rare  beauty,  only  suited  to  pot  or  Fernery 
culture  in  the  window  or  conservatory,  but  may  be  introduced 
outdoors  in  pots,  vases  and  hanging  baskets  for  summer  decora- 
tion with  good  effect.  Tiie  beauty  of  the  plant  lies  in  the  leaves, 
which  in  color  vary  from  different  shades  of  green  to  bright  crim- 
son and  pink,  striped,  and  as  regards  shape,  are  long,  narrow  and 
straight,  somewhat  resembling  those  of  Indian  Corn  excepting 
that  sometimes  they  are  shorter.  They  succeed  best  in  a  soil 
consisting  of  one-third  part  leaf  mould,  also  containing  some 
sand,  and  then  kept  pretty  moist. 

D.  draco— Stiff,  sword  like,  green  leaves;  propagated  from  seed. 
D.  indivisa—Is  of  graceful  habit  and  rapid  growth;  long,  narrow 

leaves  of  green  and  bronze;  useful  as  a  decorative  plant  for 

vase  or  on  the  lawn;  propagated  by  seed. 

D.  terminalis—Rich  crimson  foliage  marked  with  pink  and 
white;  this  vari^^ty  is  extensively  grown  for  baskets,  win- 
dow gardens  or  the  conservatory,  the  vivid  coloring  of  its 
leaves  rendering  it  at  all  times  attractive ;  propagated  from 
the  root  or  from  the  stem. 

ECHEVERIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  90°). 

A  remarkable  class  of  plants,  with  thick  succulent  leaves  of 
grotesque  appearance,  and  suitable  for  pot  culture  in  the  window 
or  conservatory,  and  also  for  bedding,  some  of  the  varieties  be- 
ing extensively  used  for  carpet  beds,  also  for  ribbon  lines  and  let- 
ters in  bedding,  for  which  purpose  they  are  admirably  adapted. 
They  are  prized  chiefly  for  their  odd,  yet  delicate  appearance :  few 
would  consider  them  possessed  of  any  greater  beauty  than  is 
found  in  plants  of  the  Cactus  family.  They  are  of  the  easiest 
culture,  and  while  delighting  in  moisture  generally,  should  be 
kept  quite  dry  during  the  winter;  propagated  from  leaves  or  cut- 
tings. 


192  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


E.  seciinda — This  variety  forms  a  neat  roseate  tuft  of  green 
leaves,  and  produces  freely  for  several  months  in  succession, 
bright  scarlet  flowers  with  yellow  centres. 

E.  secunda  glauca — Similar  to  the  above,  with  beautiful  glaucous 
green  leaves. 

E.  mefallica  glauca — A  variety  with  larger  leaves  than  the  pre- 
ceding; flowers  yellow  and  red. 

ERANTHEMUxAI  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  45,  60,  95"). 

A  large  genus  of  greenhouse  plants,  valuable  for  their  hand- 
some foliage  or  for  winter  flowers.  Pot  in  peat  and  loam  in  equal 
parts  and  add  a  little  sand.  Keep  up  a  good  heat  and  moisture; 
propagated  from  cuttings. 

E.  Andersonii — This  charming  plant  is  a  native  of  India,  and  is 
not  surpassed  by  any  other  plant  in  the  beauty  of  its 
flowers,  resembling  some  of  the  handsome  Orchids  ;  the 
sjDikes  of  flowers  are  borne  on  quite  small  plants,  the  two 
upper  and  lateral  lobes  are  pure  white,  while  the  Orchid- 
like lip  or  low^er  segment  is  thickly  dotted  with  crimson. 
E.  atropurpureum  -Large  dark-purplish  shining  foliage;  very  fine. 
E,  Eldorado — Another  good  variety  for  bedding  ;  foliage  green ; 

mottled  golden  yellow. 
E.  laxiflorum — Foliage  green, flowers  purplish-violet,  very  profuse. 
E.  marmoratum — Surface  of  the  leaf  splashed  with  grayish-green 

and  creamy  white. 
E.  jjictani — Foliage  prettily  streaked  with  white. 
E.  pidchellum — Dark  green,    wrinkled  leaves  and   bright    blue 

flowers. 
E.  sanguinea — A  rather  scarce  species;  foliage  thick  and  leathery, 
of  a  deep  crimson  maroon.  Leaves  glossy — looking  as  if 
varnished— making  a  very  attractive  plant  for  decorative 
or  bedding  purposes. 
E.  tricolor — Like  the  Croton,  Dracena,  etc.,  this  plant  requires  a 
warm  temperature  to  bring  out  its  beautiful  variegations, 
which  run  through  all  the  shades  of  pink,  purple  and 
maroon.   It  has  proved  valuable  for  massing  in  open  ground. 

ERIANTHUS  RAVENNA -'^American  Vampas.''— (Hardy 

Perenyiial). 

This  ornamental  grass,  when  in  full  bloom,  attains  a  height  of 
from  nine  to  twelve  feet,  occasionally  having  over  fifty  flower 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  ig^ 

spikes  on  one  plant,  in  two  or  three  seasons,  from  seed.     Perfectly 
hardy.     Also  increased  by  division  of  the  roots. 

ERYSIMUM  {Hardy  Annual). 

Free  flowering  little  annuals,  producing  flowers  of  beautiful 
orange  shades,  which  are  esteemed  for  their  sweetness  and  suit- 
ability for  cutting.     Sow  the  seed  where  they  are  to  flower. 

ERYTHRINA  CRISTA  GALLI— Coral  Tre^- {Greenhouse 

Perennial). 

A  half-hardy  shrub,  growing  about  four  feet  in  height,  with 
neat,  cut  foliage,  the  stems  terminating  with  spikes  of  rich  scarlet, 
pea-shaped  flowers.  Grows  freely  if  planted  in  a  warm  situa- 
tion ;  should  be  treated  so  as  to  remain  dormant  the  same  as 
Dahlias  in  winter.     Propagated  from  cuttings  or  seed. 

ESCHOLTZIA— Californian  Foffy— {Hardy  Annual). 

The  Escholtzia  is  a  desirable  garden  annual  easily  grown  from 
seed,  and  which  flowers  for  a  long  time  during  the  summer.  The 
flowers  are  of  a  splendid  yellow  color  in  E.  Calif ornica,  w^hich 
is  generally  considered  the  best,  and  po  sess  a  dazzling  brilliancy 
in  the  sunshine.  The  dense  growth  which  the  plant  takes  on 
should  be  supported  by  sticks,  or  a  portion  of  it  may  lie  so  close 
to  the  ground  as  to  be  detrimental  to  perfect  flowering.  Sow 
where  they  are  to  flower  and  thin  out  to  one  foot  apart. 

EUCHARIS  {Greenhouse  Bulb). 

E.  Amazonica — This  is  the  famed  "Lily  of  the  Amazon."  The 
flowers  are  w^hite,  star-shaped,  exquisitely  fragrant  and 
borne  in  clusters  of  from  four  to  six,  on  long  stalks,  above 
the  foliage.  They  increase  rapidly,  but  the  bulbs  should  be 
disturbed  as  little  as  possible,  repotting  w^hen  necessary 
without  division.  These  plants  enjoy  a  warm  and  moist 
temperature.  If  wanted  to  flower  in  the  winter  water 
should  be  withheld  during  the  latter  part  of  the  sumrner 
sufficiently  to  allow  them  to  rest  from  August  to  October. 

EULALIE  {Hardy  Perennial). 

A  hardy  perennial  from  Japan,  with  long,  narrow  green  leases 
striped  with  yellow  and  white,  throwing  up  stalks  four  to  six  feet 


194  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Eucharis. 

high,  terminating  with  a  cluster  of  flower  spikes  on  which  the 
individual  flowers  are  arranged  ;  the  flowers  are  surrounded  with 
long  silky  threads,  which,  when  fully  ripe,  or  when  placed  in  a 
warm  room  exj)and,  giving  the  whole  head  a  most  graceful  and 
beautiful  appearance,  not  unlike  that  of  an  ostrich  feather  curled. 
These  dried  flowers  are  valuable  as  parlor  ornaments,  as  they 
retain  their  beauty  for  a  long  time.  Are  propagated  by  division. 
E.  Japonica  variegata — Leaves  striped  lengthwise  with  creamy- 
white. 
E.  Japonica  zebrina,  or  Zebra  Grass— hesiYes  striped  crosswise 
with  yellow. 

EUONYMUS  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  30,  45,  90°). 

Very  beautiful  plants  of  a  shrubby  nature,  valuable  when  small 
for  pot  culture,  ferneries,  winter  hanging  baskets,  and  in  fact  for 
any  in-door  purpose,  as  they  are  of  neat,  vigorous  habit,  with 
lovely  leaves  of  glossj^  texture,  in  some  kinds  are  variegated,  and 
are  scarcely  equaled  for  growing  in  the  shade.  They  are  hardy 
south  of  Ohio. 

The  finest  varieties  for  pot  culture  are  aurea  variegata  and 
radicans  variegata,  which  are  nearly  ahke,  except  in  their  col- 
ors. The  leaves  of  the  former  are  of  a  rich  golden  yellow  color 
on  a  green  and    in    radicans  variegata,    a    bright   pea  green, 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  I95 


deeply  margined  with  creamy-white,  both  having  a  striking  and 
pretty  appearance  that  is  not  common.  Easily  propagated  from 
cuttings. 

EUPATORIUM  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  75'.) 

These  are  plants  extensively  grown  by  florists  for  the  large 
crops  of  pure  white  flowers  they  produce  in  the  winter.  The 
flowers  are  borne  in  dense  clusters  on  good  stems.  The  plant  is 
vigorous,  of  upright  habit,  and  requires  considerable  pot  room;  of 
the  easiest  culture  under  any  circumstances.  As  it  propagates 
readily;  it  is  best  to  start  young  plants  early  each  spring  for 
flowers  the  following  winter ;  they  should  be  grown  in  pots  out 
of  doors  during  the  summer  in  a  place  protected  from  wind.  Cut 
down  the  plants  after  flowering,  which  w411  induce  a  new  growth 
to  propagate  from. 

There  are  three  varieties  generally  cultivated,  the  flowers  of 

which  are  white  and  nearly  alike  in  appearance.     E.  arboreum, 

the  earliest  to  flower,  E.  salicifolius  (very  pure  white)  the  next, 

and  E.  elegans  the  latest,  the  three  varieties  together  affording 

a  succession  of  bloom  almost  through  the  winter. 

E.   triste—ls    of    more    recent    introduction    and  certainly    the 

best,  being  quite  distinct  in  foliage,  which  is  more  vigorous 

than  in  the  preceding  varieties,  its  white  flowers  borne  in 

trusses  of  immense  size  in  mid-winter  make  it  one  of  the 

most  desirable  plants  for  culture  at  that  season. 

EUPHORBIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial  34,  45,  90') 

An  extensive  genus  of  plants,  of  which  the  following  varieties 
are  suitable  for  greenhouse  culture,  producing  an  abundance  of 
flowers,  which  are  suitable  for  bouquets,  etc, ;  they  are  of  easy 
culture  and  are  propagated  from  cuttings  : 

E.  splendens — A  continuous  blooming  variety,  densely  covered 
on  the  stems  with  long  spines,  giving  it  a  curious  appear- 
ance; bright  scarlet  flowers,  with  a  yellow  center;  of  great 
value  for  bouquets. 

E.  Jacquiniflora — Long  racemes  of  orange  scailet  flowers,  which 
are  very  graceful. 

EVERLASTING  FLOWERS.     See  Acroclinium,  Amobium  Heli- 

chrysum,  Helipterum,  Gomphrena,  Rhodanthe 

and  Xeranthemum. 


196  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

FABIANA  IMBRICATA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  34,  50,  90°). 

One  of  the  prettiest  little  shrub-like  pot  plants  in  cultivation, 
being  of  a  dense  pyramidal  habit,  with  fine  foliage  and  profusely 
covered  with  white  flowers  in  the  spring;  excellent  for  baskets  in 
summer  or  winter.  Ordinary  treatment  and  a  good  soil  will  suit 
the  plant  well;  propagated  by  cuttings. 

FARFUGIUM  GRANDE  (GreenJiouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  90°). 

A  singular  looking  plant  of  easy  culture  in  pots  in  the  window 
or  conservatory,  the  leaves  of  which  are  its  attractive  feature. 
These,  borne  on  long  stems,  are  large,  round,  smooth,  of  a  deep 
green  color,  and  blotched  with  distinct  golden  yellow  spots,  rang- 
ing from  the  size  of  a  pin's  head  to  nearly  an  inch  across  and  dis- 
tributed with  a  striking  irregularity  over  the  surface.  The  plants 
are  increased  by  new  shoots  starting  from  the  root,  and  then 
should  be  taken  off  and  potted.  Suitable  for  planting  in  baskets, 
vases,  etc.,  for  summer  decoration. 

FERN  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  40  or  50,  80°). 

There  are  many  species  of  Ferns  or  Brakes  found  growing  in 
woods  and  swamp  lands,  in  all  parts  of  our  country.  These  are 
kinds,  the  roots  of  which  are  perennial,  but  the  tops  of  most  of 
them  die  annually.  The  tender  greenhouse  species  are  perennial 
or  evergreen,  and  are  continually  attractive,  summer  and  win- 
ter. This  class  are  among  the  most  attractive  plants  which 
can  be  grown  under  glass  or  in  the  window,  and  especially  in  the 
latter  place,  with  the  use  of  a  fernery  or  plant  case.  On  page  48 
this  means  of  growing  plants  is  treated  upon,  but  I  may  repeat 
that  it  exactly  suits  Ferns  and  many  other  plants  of  similar 
requirements.  Ferns  are  propagated  from  the  spores  which 
appear  on  the  leaves,  these  being  sown  in  earth  after  the  manner 
of  very  fine  seeds.  The  plants  should  be  grown  in  soil  largely 
composed  of  leaf  mould  from  the  woods. 

We  name  the  following  ferns  as  embracing  some  of  the  most 
suitable  varieties  for  general  culture: 
F.  Adiantum  Formosum  (Maiden  Hair  Fern) — Jet  black  stems  and 

light  green  fronds. 
F.  Alsophila  Australis  (Tree  Fern) — A  magnificent  tree  fern  of 

rapid  growth. 
F.Asplenium  Belangeri — Elegant  feather-like  fronds;  deep  green 

color. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  1 97 


F.  Lygodium  scandens  (Climbing  Fern)— A  climbing  fern  from 
Japan,  of  a  graceful,  twining  habit,  often  attaining  the 
height  of  fifty  feet  in  its  native  wilds.  It  is  easy  of  cul- 
ture, treated  as  other  ferns,  and  is  a  handsome  plant, grown 
either  climbing  or  drooping;  the  foliage  is  finely  cut  and 
very  beautiful;  a  splendid  house  plant,  unequaled  in 
beauty. 

F.  Microlepia  hirtha  cHstata— An  elegant  crested  fern  of  good 
habit  and  growth. 

F.  Nephrodium  molle—l^ong,  dark  green  fronds,  upright  growth. 

F.  Nephrolepis  exaltata  (Sword  Fern)— Of  easy  culture,  and  soon 
grows  to  a  great  size. 

F.  Nex)hrolepis  Duffii— An  exquisite  miniature  variety  of  the  old- 
fashioned,  but  ever  popular  Sword  Fern,  that  commends  it- 
self to  every  one  by  its  easy  growth  and  graceful  appear- 
ance. 

F.  Nephrolepis  DavalUoides  Fur  cans— A  beautiful  and  ornamental 
crested  fern  of  easy  culture. 

F,  Platy cerium  alcicorne  (Staghorn  Fern)— Resembles  a  stag  horn; 
of  easy  culture. 

F.  Polypodium  cureum  (Hare's  Foot  Fernj— An  elegant  variety. 

F.  Polystichum  Angulare—ljong  foliage,  resembling  plumes  of 
feathers;  light  green  color. 

F.  Pteris  argyrea— Called  by  some  Silver  Fern.  A  very  showy, 
strong  growing  Fern,  with  variegated  foliage;  fronds  large, 
light  green,  with  a  broad  band  of  silvery  white  down  the 
centre  of  each;  very  distinct. 

F.  Pteris  serrulata  (Crow's  Foot  Fern)— The  fronds  are  pendulous 
and  grass  like ;  of  easy  culture. 

F.  Pteris  tremula  (Shaking  Fern)— Very  large,  rich  green  foliage, 
beautifully  cut.  The  strongest  growing  and  best  Fern  for 
house  culture;  grows  very  rapidly  and  soon  makes  hand- 
some specimens;  should  be  found  in  every  collection  of 
house  plants. 

F.  Scolopendrium  vulgare  (Hart's  Tongue)— Very  desirable  for  pot 
culture,  being  among  the  hardiest  kinds. 

FEVERFEW— Pyrethrum  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  85"). 

Very  useful  plants  in  several  varieties,  all  of  which  are 
nearly  hardy,  of  the  easiest  possible  culture  and  readily  propa- 
gated from  cuttings.     The  double  white   Feverfew  (Pyrethrum 


198  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

Parthenium)  produces  an  immense  crop  of  perfectly  double,  pure 
white,  daisy-like  flowers,  an  inch  and  upwards  across,  in  clusters, 
on  stems  eighteen  inches  high,  the  fore  part  of  summer,  and  then 
less  freely  at  intervals,  until  late  in  the  season,  on  which  ac- 
count it  has  become  an  important  plant  in  every  florist's  green- 
house, and  is  deserving  of  general  cultivation  at  the  hands  of 
amateurs,  especially  as  there  need  be  no  failure  in  managing 
it,  to  produce  an  abundance  of  bloom. 

Prince  Alfred  is  a  variety  similar  to  the  preceding,  but  of  dwarfer 
habit.  Golden  Feather  Feverfew  possesses  no  merit  as  a  flower- 
ing plant,  but  is  highly  esteemed  for  its  attractive,  delicate  cut 
foliage  of  a  greenish  golden  color,  and  the  dense  symmetrical 
growth  it  assumes.  It  is  a  beautiful  plant  for  massing  or  plant- 
ing in  ribbon  lines,  and  like  the  two  varieties  described  above,  is 
very  suitable  as  a  pot  plant  or  for  planting  in  vases  and  large 
hanging  baskets.  The  flower  shoots  should  be  pinched  back  as 
they  appear.  All  the  Feverfews  may  be  taken  from  the  ground 
in  the  fall  and  wintered  in  a  cold-pit.  To  rear  an  abundance  of 
stock  for  bedding,  take  plants  thus  secured  into  heat  in  February 
and  then  make  cuttings,  or  else  raise  from  seeds  sown  in  January, 
which  is  a  favorite  course  with  florists. 

FICUS  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  34,  45,  90''). 

A  fine  plant,  very  popular,  not  only  in  the  hothouse,  but  as  a 
decorative  plant  for  the  drawing-room  or  flower  garden.  Its 
thick  leathery  leaves  make  it  especially  valuable  in  consequence 
of  doing  perfectly  well  in  the  dry  air  of  inhabited  rooms;  propa- 
gated from  cuttings. 
F.  elastica  (India  Rubber  Plant)— The  old  and  favorite  sort;  fine 

large  shining  foliage. 
F.  Parcelli—L,3irge  leaves,  beautifully  marbled  with  bright  green 
and  white.     The  plant  is  of  free  growth  and   extremely 
effective. 
F.  repens — A  fine  creeper  for  green  and  hothouse  decoration;  it 
will  cling  tenaciously  on  a  rough  surface. 

FITTONIA.     See  Gymnostachyum. 
FORGET-ME-NOT.     See  Myosotis. 
FORSYTHI A -Golden  Bell  (Hardy  Shrub). 
A  small  genus  of  ornamental  hardy  shrubs,  coming  in  flower 
very  early. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  I99 

F.  viridissima — Produces  beautiful  yellow  flowers  early  in  spring; 

leaves  deep  green. 
F.  Fortuni — An  upright-growing  shrub  with  bright  green  foliage; 

flowers  bright  yellow,   dropping  before  tlie  leaves  appear. 

A  fine  early  flowering  shrub. 

FOUR  O'CLOCK.     See  Mirabilis  Jalapa. 

FOX  GLOVE.     See  DigitaHs. 

FUCHSIA — Lady's  Ear  Drop  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  85''). 

The  Fuchsia  is  one  of  that  superb  class  of  plants  which,  to 
an  extent,  are  indispensable  in  every  good  collection.  It  is  a 
well-known  genus,  and  has  for  years  attracted  much  attention  by 
its  elegant  appearance  as  a  pot  plant,  and  more  especially, its  lovely 
flowers.  The  Lady's  Ear  Drop,  as  it  is  commonly  called,  is  asso- 
ciated with  our  earliest  recollection  of  window  plants,  cultivated 
many  years  ago,  but  since  that  time,  like  many  other  things,  the 
florist's  arts  of  improvement  have  caused  wonderful  changes  in 
the  flowers,  and  rendering  the  varieties  of  to-day  immensely 
superior  to  those  known  a  score  of  years  ago.  The  Fuchsia  is 
well  adapted  for  pot  culture  on  the  window-shelf  or  in  the  con- 
servatory— some  varieties  flowering  beautifully  in  the  winter. 
They  delight  in  the  winter,  not  so  much  in  a  high  temperature  as 
in  a  light  place,  in  which  they  can  frequently  be  treated  to  a  bit 
of  fresh  air.  By  nature  they  require  a  season  of  rest  annually, 
which  should  be  given  the  ordinary  varieties  during  the  latter  part 
of  summer,  and  the  winter-blooming  kinds  for  several  months 
in  the  spring  and  summer.  During  the  rest  water  should  be 
withheld  from  the  plants  to  an  extent  that  will  cause  many  of  the 
leaves  to  drop,  a  little  being  applied  occasionally  to  prevent  the 
soil  from  becoming  entirely  dry.  They  may  be  placed  in  any  dry, 
airy  situation,  but  at  no  time  where  it  freezes.  After  resting 
sufiiciently,  they  should  be  cut  back  to  encourage  the  formation 
of  a  well-formed  plant  from  the  new  growth,  and  should  be  well 
supplied  with  water.  As  the  flower  buds  appear,  plants  may  re- 
ceive an  occasional  watering  with  liquid  manure.  Frequently  re- 
potting the  plants  as  needed  into  larger  sizes,  and  in  a  soil  of  the 
most  fertile  nature — it  may  be  one-third  well-rotted  manure— are 
important  in  growing  the  plant  to  perfection.  By  paying  atten- 
tion to  all  these  points,  a  growth  of  an  astonishing  magnitude 


200 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Fuchsia. 

may  be  had  in  the  time  of  a  few  months,  by  starting  with 
healthy  young  plants.  Excellent  as  a  flowering  plant  in  the  centre 
of  hanging  baskets  and  vases  in  shaded  siiuations,  and  the  double 
varieties  are  quite  suitable  for  bedding  in  partially  shaded  places 
that  are  also  protected  from  sweepmg  winds;  easily  propagated 
from  cuttings. 


SINGLE  VARIETIES. 

F.  Aurora  superba — Orange  scarlet  corolla,  sepals  rich  salmon. 

F.  Arabella— White  tube  and  sepals ;  corolla  rose. 

F.  Black  Pririce — Tube  and  sepals  bright  waxy  carmine  ;  sepals 
large  and  broad,  with  pale  green  tips,  and  large,  open,  pale 
pink  corolla,  margined  with  deep  rose;  of  a  very  distinct 
and  vigorous,  free  branching  habit.      On^  of  the  best. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  20I 


F.  Earl  of  Beacon sJield—Yigorous  growing,  free  flowering,  beauti- 
ful habit,  quite  distinct;  one  of  the  best  hybrid  varieties;  the 
blooms  are  three  inches  in  length  and  of  great  substance; 
the  tube  and  sepals  are  of  a  light  rosy  carmine;  corolla 
deep  carmine. 

F.  Elizabeth  Blarshall— Tube  and  sepals  scarlet;  corolla  white. 

F.  England's  GZor^— Pink  corolla  with  carmine  shade;  a  beautiful 
sort. 

F.  Fairy— A  miniature  variety  of  clear  red  color. 

F.  Gracieax— Single  light  red  sepals  ;  corolla  lavender  blue;  very 
fine. 

F.  Gov.  Baker— Flnm  corolla;  sepals  crimson. 

F.  May  ^^em— Beautiful  violet  rose  corolla  ;  sepals  pure  white; 
extra. 

F.  ilfo?iarc7i— Immense  flowers;  tube  and  sepals  of  bright  red  and 
great  length. 

F.  Prince  Imperial— Dwarf;  early;  extra  fine. 

F.  President  McMahon— Corolla  scarlet;  sepals  greenish  yellow. 

F.  Rose  of  Denmark— Tube  and  sepals  ivory  white;  corolla  clear 
pink. 

F.  Rose  of  Castile— Corolla  rosy  purple,  with  lighter  streaks,  free 
bloomer  and  good  growler. 

F.  Syringceflor a— 'LargQ  truss  of  flowers  resembling  in  shape  a 
bunch  of  lilac. 

F.  Siinray— This  is  an  exceedingly  novel  and  interesting  plant; 
its  leaves  are  richly  marked  in  about  equal  proportions, 
with  bright  crimson,  creamy  white  and  bronzy  green. 

F.  Try  me'o/i— Tube  and  sepals  bright  crimson,  with  large,  open, 
bell-shaped  black  corolla,  the  darkest  yet  known;  fine  habit. 

F.  Wave  of  Life— Foliage  bronzy  yellow;  scarlet  tube  and  sepals; 
violet  blue  corolla. 

DOUBLE  VARIETIES. 

F.  Avalanche— Beautiful  golden  foliage,  and  dark  double  violet 

purple  corolla. 
F.  Champion  of  the  World— harge  double  flowers;  tubes  short ; 

sepals  very  broad  and  of  great  substance,  well  reflexed  and 

of  a  most  beautiful  coral  red;  corolla  most  intense  bright 

dark  purple. 
jP.  Dolly  Varden — Very  double  dark  corolla, 


202 


THE   HOME  FLORIST. 


Double    White   Fuchsia. 


F.  Elm  City — Sepals   rich   crimson,   enclosing  corolla  forming 

globular  balls;  dwarf  and  compact  in  habit;  extra  tine. 
F.  Joseph  Rossain — Dark  double,  violet  blue  corolla;  striped  deep 

scarlet. 
F.  Kingsburyana — A  variety  of  good  habit  and  a  most  abundant 

bloomer,  producing  fine  flowers  with  bright  red  tube  and 

sepals,   the  latter  reflexed  and  large;   double,    open  and 

spreading  white  corolla. 
F.  Nellie  Morton — New;  one  of  the  very  finest  Fuchsias  yet  raised, 

very  large  and  double ;    pure  white  corolla,    beautifully 

reflexed  bright  scarlet  sepals;  magnificent. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  203 

F.  Nonpareil — Two  double  dark  corollas;  very  peculiar  and  strik- 
ing. 

F.  Purple  Prince— Tube  and  sepals  waxy  carmine  scarlet;  corolla 
rich  violet;  double. 

F.  Punch — Double  violet  corolla,  sepals  red. 

F.  Victor  Hugo — Double;  flowers  very  large;  sepals  red;  corolla 
clear  lilac.     A  new  color. 

WINTER-BLOOMING  FUCHSIAS. 

The  following  four  sorts  are  the  best  for  winter  flowering  : 

F.  Carl  Halt — A  white  and  red  striped  variety. 

F.  Mrs.  Marshall — Corolla  very  bright  purplish  scarlet. 

F.  Lustre — Waxy  white  and  sepals  elegantly  reflexed;  corolla 
vivid  crimson,  tinted  with  pale  orange. 

F.  Speciosa — A  well-known  variety,  producing  large  flowers  two 
inches  in  length,  tubes  and  sepals  of  which  are  blush,  the 
corolla  crimson.  Some  plants  of  this  variety  grown  in 
eight  or  nine  inch  pots  will  produce  from  three  hundred  to 
five  hundred  flowers  from  December  to  May. 

FUNKIA— The  Plantain  Lily  (Hardy  Herbacous  Perennial). 

The  White  Day  Lily  (F.  alba  odora)  is  an  attractive,  bulbous 
garden  plant,  with  luxuriant,  broad,  veined  foliage  of  a  rich,  yel- 
lowish green  color,  and  which  grows  in  an  elegant  clump  one 
foot  high.  The  flowers  are  pure  white  and  fragrant,  of  a  pleas- 
ing appearance,  being  borne  on  stems  twenty  inches  high, 
about  mid-summer,  opening  only  in  the  day.  A  mass  of  this 
beautiful  plant  growing  on  the  lawn  is  very  handsome.  F.  ccer- 
ulea  is  quite  similar  to  the  above,  excepting  that  the  flowers  are 
light  blue,  and  the  foliage  of  a  deep  green.  F.  marginata  has 
elegant  variegated  leaves,  distinctly  edged  and  striped  with  sul- 
phur yellow. 

GALANTHUS— Snowdrop  {Hardy  Bulbous  Perennial). 

Delightful  little  pure  white  flowers,  blooming  in  the  open  air 
very  early,  and  sometimes  in  warm,  sunny  exposures  even  before 
all  the  snow  is  gone.  There  is  a  double  and  a  single  variety.  No 
garden  can  be  considered  well  stocked,  without  having,  at  least, 
a  few  clumps  of  these  earliest  of  all  flowers.  The  bulbs  should 
be  planted  in  the  fall  months  with  Hyacinths,  Tulips,  etc.,  about 
two  or  three  inches  deep,  and  if  set  three  inches  apart  in  clumps 


204 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


a  foot  or  two  across,  the  effect  will  be  the  finest.  Reset  them 
once  in  tliree  years.  The  Galanthus  may  also  be  forced  into 
bloom  in  the  winter  in  the  house.     (See  page  52.) 

GARDENIA.     See  Jasmine. 

GAZANIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  32,  45,  85°). 

Summer  and  autumn  flowering  bedding  plants  of  low,  pros- 
trate habit;  the  prevailing  colors  are  orange  and  yellow,  with  a 
broad,  intensely  black  velvety  ring  around  the  center.  Excellent 
for  planting  at  the  edge  in  hanging  baskets  and  vases  for  droop- 
ing over.     Propagated  from  cuttings  and  layers. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


205 


GERANIUMS. 


GERANIUM— Pelargonium.      {Greenhouse  Perennials, 
85°,  except  where  noted). 


33,   45, 


An  extensive,  varied  and  interesting 
family  of  plants  of  great  value  for 
pot  culture  and  summer  bedding 
in  the  open  air.  Indeed,  in  such 
a  degree  is  this  true,  that  a  showy- 
flower  and  window  garden  quite  varied 
in  its  character,  might  be  sustained  by 
employing  no  other  plants  than  those 
included  in  the  genus.  Their  require- 
ments in  culture  are  throughout  of  the 
most  simple  kind,  and  there  is  scarcely 
such  a  thing  as  failure  in  realizing  sat- 
isfaction from  cultivating  them,  even 
by  inexperienced  amateurs.  All  the 
varieties  of  the  several  sections  strike 
root  readily  from  cuttings.  August 
and  September  are  suitable  months  for 
propagating,  as  an  abundance  of  gi'owth 
is  then  available,  and  cuttings  struck 
at  this  season  will  make  strong  plants 
for  next  year's  use.  They  will  also, 
each  year,  afford  many  young  cuttings 
during  the  winter  for  propagation. 
Young  plants  make  such  a  rapid 
i  growth  that  it  is  better  to  provide 
plenty  of  new  stock  each  fall  and  win- 
ter for  bedding  in  the  spring,  and  also 
for  pot  culture,  than  to  work  much  with  the  old  plants.  A  light 
place,  where  air  can  be  introduced  to  them,  is  the  most  suitable 
one  for  their  winter  quarters.  Old  plants  can  easily  be  kept  over 
in  a  warm  cold- pit  or  light  cellar,  which  is  not  too  damp.  (See 
Pelargonium.) 


206  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

The  Geraniums  are,  jDerliaps,  the  most  useful  and  popular  plants 
in  cultivation.  Wherever  we  go  vs^here  plants  are  grown,  in 
any  part  of  the  civilized  world ;  in  the  humble  little  garden ;  in 
the  latticed  window  of  the  thatched  cottage;  in  splendid  palace 
grounds  and  national  gardens;  everywhere  do  we  find  the  Geran- 
ium at  once  useful  and  beautiful,  and  entirely  eclipsing  by  its 
mass  of  bloom  and  brilliant  coloring,  its  more  aristocratic  and 
costly  neighbors.  Tliey  not  only  bear  beautiful  flowers,  but  the 
foliage  of  many  varieties  is  almost  as  handsomely  colored  as 
the  flowers;  the  leaves  of  some  are  loaded  with  the  sweetest  per- 
fumes, while  the  others  are  of  the  most  elegant  forms,  and  make 
a  better  setting  for  a  button-hole  bouquet  than  any  other  leaf 
known. 

For  constancy  of  bloom  the  Geranium  is  unequalled.  Small 
plants,  that  can  be  bought  very  cheap,  if  put  out  in  May  and 
June,  will  soon  after  planting,,  completely  fill  a  bed  and 
will  be  a  mass  of  flowers,  and  continue  getting  better,  until 
blackened  by  the  frosty  nights  of  autumn.  While  other  plants 
are  wilting  under  the  scorching  rays  of  our  summer  sun,  the 
Geranium  seems  to  glory  in  the  hottest  weather. 

The  Geraniums  make  excellent  winter  blooming  plants,  if  not 
kept  too  warm ;  but  for  this  purpose  should  be  grown  in  pots  all 
summer,  and  the  buds  picked  off  as  they  appear. 

ZONALE,  SINGLE  OR  HORSE-SHOE 
GERANIUMS. 

This  is,  perhaps,  for  all  purposes,  the  most  useful  class  in  culti- 
vation, the  plants  being  easily  grown,  affording  a  large  variety 
of  colors,  embracing  all  shades  from  purple  and  scarlet  to  white. 
As  bedding  plants  they  are  unequalled,  being  rapid  growers,  vig- 
orous and  healthy,  bearing  the  hottest  sun  admirably  and  are 
remarkably  free  flowering.  Scarcely  a  more  pleasing  or  yet 
more  simple  disposal  of  plants  can  be  effected  than  to  mass  the 
scarlet  varieties  a  foot  or  more  apart,  according  to  size,  in  a  bed 
upon  the  lawn,  to  be  viewed  from  a  distance  as  from  a  walk  or  a 
favorite  window  in  the  living  room.  The  plants  should  not  be 
put  into  the  ground  until  the  weather  is  quite  warm  and  all  dan- 
ger from  frosty  nights  is  over — in  the  Northern  States  toward  the 
last  of  May.  Set  the  plants  so  that  when  grown,  they  will  cover 
the  ground.      For  brilliancy  the  varieties,   Gen.   Grant,   Gen, 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  20/ 


Sheridan  and  Queen  of  tJie  West  are  the  best,  being  strong  grow- 
ers and  immense  bloomers.  All  during  the  season  many  large, 
dazzling  heads  of  bloom  are  conspicuous  over  the  green,  com- 
pact mass  of  leaves,  affording  a  continual,  never-tiring  sight  for 
months,  which,  for  attractiveness,  cannot  be  fully  approached 
by  any  other  plants  in  cultivation,  similarly  arranged.  The  num- 
ber of  plants  employed  or  the  size  of  the  bed  has  less  to  do  with 
its  general  effectiveness  than  the  adherence  to  the  principle  of 
using  only  one  variety  in  the  same  mass,  and  also  that  the  plants 
be  nearly  uniform  in  size  (see  "  Planting  in  masses  of  color."  page 
21).  Besides  the  excellent  scarlets  named,  there  are  others  quite 
as  suitable  for  bedding  in  masses,  but  my  advice  to  amateurs  is  to 
make  their  first  choice  from  the  above  named  varieties  for  this 
purpose,  leaving  other  colors  for  subsequent  plantings,  unless  it  is 
desired  to  plant  a  compound  bed  with  Geraniums,  each  part  with 
a  distinctly  colored  variety.  As  stated  before,  masses  of  Geran- 
iums should  be  all  of  one  color  for  the  best  effects,  but  a  depar- 
ture from  this  rule  may  be  suggested  as  being,  perhaps,  quite  as 
satisfactory,  and  that  is  to  have  the  general  mass  one  color — 
say,  for  instance,  scarlet,  and  then  bringing  an  edging  of  another 
color,  like  white  or  pink,  around  the  outside  of  the  scarlet.  The 
following  varieties  are  the  best  for  massing:  Gen.  Grant,  bright 
scarlet;  Geu.  Sheridan,  darker  scarlet;  Queen  of  the  West,  orange- 
scarlet;  Master  Christine,  pink;  White  Perfection,  white;  Celes- 
tial, deep  rose,  tinged  white;  Bishop  Simpson,  salmon;  Louis 
Uhlbach,  light  yellow;  Hoffgartner  Eichler,  dark  crimson;  Ralph, 
amaranth  purple. 

In  massing  Geraniums  the  beds  may  or  may  not  be  edged  with 
plants  of  other  kinds  such  as  have  showy  foliage,  as  best  suits  the 
planter.  The  ground  to  be  planted  with  Geraniums  should 
always  be  slightly  raised  in  the  center  to  a  mound-like  form. 
Tliis  class  of  Geraniums  are  much  used  as  pot  plants,  and  for 
planting  in  the  center  of  hanging-baskets,  and  vases  for  which 
last  named  purpose  there  can  be  nothing  better.  Indeed  some  of 
the  best  filled  vases  we  have  ever  seen,  were  planted  with  Geran- 
iums alone. 
G.  Apple  Blossom — Beautiful  trusses  of  a  pearly  white,  suffused 

w^ith  rosy -pink. 
G.  Alcibiade — Red-salmon,    shaded   clear  violet   at   center ;  pips 

large;  good  trusses. 
G,  ^?7iarari]f/i— Beautiful  lilac  pink.  ^ 


208  THE   HOME  FLORIST. 


G.  Audiffret-Pasquier— Carmine  lake,  slightly  vemed  rose  upon 

the  upper  petals. 
G.  Antonin    Proits^— Violet-carmine;    upper  petals  marked  pur- 
plish crimson;  very  fine  flowering. 
G.  Bisliop  Simpson— Large  trusses  of  rich  salmon. 
G.  Beauty  of  Kingsessiug— Salmon  center,  margined  with  white. 
G.  Bramford  's  glory —Bright,  clear  scarlet. 
G.  Blonde  Beauty— Beep  flesh  color,  shading  to  white. 
G.  Celestial— Beep  rose,  tinged  wiiite;  an  extra  fine  sort  for  bed- 
ding out,  or  winter  flowering. 
G.  Christine  Neilson — Bright  rosy  pink. 

G.  Cinderella— Bright  rosy  salmon,  fine  truss,  new  color;  a  beau- 
tiful variety. 
G.  Challemel  Lacour—Bich,  vivid  crimson;  iinmense  trusses;  very 

fine. 
G.  Cherry  Lips— Bright  cherry;  distinct  color. 
G.  Dazzler — Exceedingly  rich  scarlet,  with  large  white  eye;  very 

brilliant. 
G.  Evening  Star— This  beautiful  sort  is  most  attractive,  having  a 

white  ground  with  large  pink  eye. 
G.  Eva — Magenta;  fine  color. 
G.  Fairy— Salmon,  flaked  wiiite. 
G.  Favorite — Light  pink;  immense  truss. 
G.  General  Sherman — Light  crimson;  a  fine  bedder. 
G.  General  Hood — Very  large  flowers  of  a  deep  velvety  scarlet 

color;  a  beautiful  sort. 
G.  General  Sheridan — Show^y  scarlet;  a  fine  winter  flowering  gera- 
nium, and  also  a  fine  bedding  geranium;  always  in  flower. 
G.  General  Grant — Fine  scarlet;  this  variety  is  used  largely  for 

bedding  out. 
G.  Gnome — Immensely  large  pips  of  the  most  intense  glowing  scar- 
let; small  white  eye;  single  florets  measure  full  two  inches 
in  diameter. 
G.Guinea — Brilliant  orauge  yellow;  the  nearest  approach  to  a  yel- 
low Zonale  yet  sent  out. 
G.  Harry  King— Intense  scarlet  with  large  white  eye. 
G.  Hoffgartner  Eichler — Dark  crimson  shaded  to  bright  scarlet. 
G.  Illustre  Citoyen— Bark  orange  red,  centre  whitish  lilac;  flowers 

and  trusses  large. 
G.  Institulor  Deleval—JJpper  petals  currant  red;  lower  petals  flame 
color;  magnificeut. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  209 

G.  lanthe — Purplish  crimson;  fine. 

G.  Jersey  Lily — New,  tender,  rosy  salmon,  the  base  of  the  upper 
petals  marked  white;  flowers  of  beautiful  form;  a  truly 
magnificent  variety. 

G.  Jacques  Leinhart— Rich  scarlet,  lined  with  crimson;  of  fine 
form  and  habit. 

G.  Jealousy — Bright  orange  scarlet,  so  much  so  as  to  give  a  decided 
yellow  hue;  a  beautiful  sort. 

G.  Jean  Sisley — Fine  scarlet,  white  eye;  fine  winter  bloomer  and 
good  bedder. 

G.  Jules  Favre — A  new  and  peculiar  shade;  violet  shaded  with 
lilac  and  light  crimson. 

G.  Jacquard — New,  orange  red;  upper  petals  touched  with  vio- 
let; white  centre;  a  fine  flower;  a  beautiful  sort, 

G.  Leviathan — A  fine  sort;  bright  crimson  scarlet,  shaded  ver- 
milion; free  bloomer;  immense  trusses  five  to  six  inches  in 
diameter. 

G.  La  Franclie  Gaite— Centre  pure  white;  edge  of  petals  light 
red. 

G.  La  France — Violet  purple,  with  fiery  markings  at  base  of  up- 
per petals. 

G.  Z/'  Elysee — Deep  orange-colored  flowers,  graduating  to  salmon 
toward  the  edges. 

G.  Louis  Uhlbach — Yellowish  red  in  color;  a  seedling  of  the 
Guinea. 

G.  Mrs.  Jas.  A.  Garfield — A  new  Geranium  with  the  purest 
white  flowers;  dwarf  and  one  of  the  finest  sorts  for  pot 
culture. 

G.  Madame  Rampler — Fine,  clear  white,  veined  with  purple;  ex- 
tremity of  the  petals  snow  v/hite. 

G.  Madame  Recamier — Large,  round  flowers  of  perfect  shape; 
deep  rich  crimson. 

G.  Master  Christine — Bright  pink;  fine  bloomer;  one  of  the  best 
for  summer  bedding. 

G,  Mrs.  Wiridsor — A  beautiful  new  variety  with  large  trusses  of 
blush  wliite,  with  a  scarlet  eye. 

G.  Mrs.  Moore — New,  pure  white,  with  a  beautiful  ring  of  bright 
salmon  around  a  small  white  eye;  very  fine. 

G,  Mrs.  James  Vick — White  edges,  pinkish  centre;  without  an 
equal  for  winter. 

G.  Mathilda — Rose  pink;  fine, 


210  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

G.  Mary  Halleck  i^oofe— Bright  pale  salmon. 
G.  Mazeppa — Pure  scarlet;  ininiense  trusses. 
G.  Md.  Daiielle — Clear  delicate  rose;   upper  peta,ls  marked  with 

white. 
G.  Md.  Damage — Very  fine  scarlet. 
G.  Merimee — Orange,  with  ^vhite  toward  the  edges. 
G.  Maynetta  Pacha — Carmine  red,  deepened  with  crimson, 
G.  Maid  of  Kent — Pure  lake-rose  or  pink. 
G.  Masterpiece — Rosy  scarlet;  of  great  size. 
G.  Newland  's  Mary — Beautiful  dark  pink. 
G.  New  Life — Scarlet  flowers,  flaked  and  striped  with  salmon  and 

white. 
G.  Othello — Very  dark  scarlet. 

G.  P.  L.  Courier — Immense  trusses  rich  vermilion. 
G.  Perseus — Light  pink  shaded  with  salmon, 
G.  Par  Excellence — Scarlet  magenta;  large  trusses, 
G.  Pride — Fine  large  salmon, 

G.  Princess  Maud — New,  scarlet,  pure  white  eye;  very  fine. 
G.  President  Garfield — Color  lake  carmine;  upper  petals  marked 

orange;  a  very  fine  variety. 
G   Queen  of  the  West — Bright   orange   scarlet;  large   truss  and 

profuse    bloomer.      We  know  of  no  finer   Geranium  for 

planting  out  in  beds. 
G.  Pose  Unique — Large  trusses  of  an  incarnate  rose  color,  rayed 

with  white  in  the  centre,  reverse  of  petals  violet. 
G.  Pienzi — Rich  scarlet. 
G.  Penomme — Clear  apricot,  passing  to  copper  rose,  veined  centre, 

large  trusses. 
G.  Ralph — One  of  the  best  bedding  sorts  yst  introduced;  profuse 

bloomer;  color  dark  amaranth  purple. 
G.  Streak  of  Luck — A  rival  of  New   Life;  saimon   color  striped 

with  white;  very  free  flowering. 
G.  Scarlet  Fesityms— Bright  scarlet;  very  free  bloomer. 
G.  Salmon  Rienzii — A  most  beautiful  salmon  of  great  size;  very 

fine. 
G.  Salmon  Leviathan — In  the  style  of  Crimson  Leviathan  but 

larger;  salmon  flowers. 
G.  Sara    Bernhart — A   splendid  new  white   Geranium;   flowers 

pure  white,  without  even  colored  stamens;  a  beatiful  sort. 
G.  Sunshine — Vermilion  scarlet. 
G.  Thomas  Carlyle — Center  vermilion,  shading  to  salmon. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  211 


G.  Von  Moltke — Dark  soft  red,  tinted  with  scarlet  and  heavily- 
shaded  with  maroon.  Its  glossy,  velvety  color  can  not  be 
excelled. 

G.  W.  K.  Harris — Blush,  pale  red  center;  fine,  large  round  flowers. 

G.  Wood  Nymph — Bright  clear  pink,  with  white  markings  on 
upper  petals. 

G.  Wilsonii — Light  amaranth. 

G.  White  Perfection — Pure  white  ;  fine  bedder. 

G.  White  Vesuvius — Color,  white  ;  round  petals ;  very  free  flow- 
ering. 

(r.  William  Cullen  Bryant — The  finest  shaped  single  flowered 
Geranium  known.  Each  floret  on  strong  plants  will  meas- 
ure two  inches  across  ;  color  a  soft,  rich,  pure  scarlet.  The 
thickness  of  petal  and  size  of  flower  makes  it  appear  as  if 
stamped  out  of  thick  velvet.     The  trusses  are  large. 

G.  Zuleika — Upper  petals  shaded  crimson,  lower  petals  blush 
purple. 

DOUBLE   GERANIUMS. 

The  Double  Geraniums  have  now  been  in  cultivation  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  and  at  the  present  time  include  almost  every  desir- 
able color,  even  to  pure  white.     Their  general  habit  and  appear- 
ance is  similar  to  the  Single  Geraniums.     The  plants  are  equally 
valuable,  whether  employed  for  bedding  or  for  growing  in  pots. 
The  Double  Geraniums  have  been  wonderfully  improved  the  past 
few  years  and  are  in  every  way  proving  formidable  rivals  to  the 
Single  Geraniums,  not  only  as  to  variety  in  color,  but  also  in 
free  flowering  qualities,  and  in  the  dwarf  branching  habit.     So 
excellent  are  many  cf  the  sorts  of  the  present  day,  that  those  who 
grow  flowers  for  sale  depend  largely  on  these  for  contributing 
lively  colors  to  their  cut  flowers  and  bouquets.     When  well  grown 
it  is  not  rare  to  find  flowers  as  large  and  full  as  a  Carnation . 
while  the  colors  are  brighter  than  those  of  that  favorite  flower. 
They  are  very  fine  for  winter  blooming,  lasting  much  longer 
than  the  single  varieties. 
G.  Admiral  Seymour— Ytich,  dark  amaranth. 
G.  Ami  Hbs^e— Dark  crimson,  shaded  with  purple. 
G.  Amazone— Creamy  white,  free  bloomer. 
G.  Asteroid — Deep  rich  crimson. 

G.  Alba  Perfecta— Large,  fine,  snowy- white  flowers  ;  very  free 
bloomer. 


212  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

G.  Asa  (rrai/— Salmon-pink  flowers,  edged  with  white  ;  one  of 
the  best  sorts  ;  a  constant  bloomer, 

G.  Bousingault — Orange-vermilion,  softened  with  rose. 

G.  Bishop  IVood — The  upper  petals  carmine-scarlet,  lower  petals 
a  violet-rose  ;  a  new  color. 

G.  B.  K.  Bliss— Oi  all  varieties  this  has  the  largest  flowers  and 
most  vivid  coloring  ;  the  individual  flowers  are  two  inches 
in  diameter,  of  good  shape,  trusses  large;  color,  a  rich  tone 
of  pure  scarlet. 

G.  Charles  Darwin — Rich  deep  violet-purple,  the  base  of  the 
superior  petals  marked  with  a  flaming  color. 

G.  Commandant  Of  ^—Scarlet-orange,  shading  into  vermilion; 
habit  and  form  very  fine. 

G.  Cybele — A  new  and  fine  sort ;  has  immense  trusses  of  large 
flowers  of  a  bright  salmon-rose  color,  some  of  the  petals 
fluted  and  blotched  blush  white  ;  very  distinct. 

G.  C.  H.  Wagner — Brilliant  orange-scarlet,  with  a  purple  hue  on 
the  lower  petals. 

G.  Candidissima — A  large,  full,  finely  formed  flower  of  the  most 
snowy  whiteness. 

G.  Casimer  Perier — Very  double  flowers  of  flaming  orange, 
bordered  wtth  salmon. 

G.  Cabanel — Plant  dwarf  and  a  vigorous  grower  ;  truss  extraor- 
dinary large  ;  spherical ;  bright  carmine  color. 

G.  Cheerfulness — A  new  color;  flesh  jDink,  shaded  and  mottled 
rose:  extremely  double  petals  somewhat  fluted  or  fringed: 
a  fine  and  distinct  variety. 

G.  Depute  Ancelon — Deep  magenta-rose,  with  a  violet  cast  ;  very- 
double  and  fine. 

G.  Depute  Berlet — A  beautiful  shade  pink  with  a  tinge  of  violet. 

G.  Depute  Laflize — Flowers  a  dark  vermilion  purple,  large  trusses 
with  the  pips  closely  packed. 

G.  Depute  Varroy — A  bright  lake  color,  deep  at  edges  of  petals 
and  shading  to  white  at  the  center  ;  a  beautiful  shade. 

G.  Dr.  Jacohy — Enormous  trusses  of  large  double  flowers  of  clear 
nankeen  salmon  ;  one  of  the  finest  Geraniums  in  our  col- 
lection . 

G.  Ed.  Andre— A.  beautiful  flower,  of  dark  rose,  shaded  with 
violet. 

G.  Emit  de  Girardin — A  splendid  variety  with  enormous  trusses 
of  rose-colored  flowers. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  213 

G.  Ernest  Lauth—A  magnificent  variety;  flowers  large,  full  and 

well-formed;    deep-glowing    crimson,     illuminated    with 

scarlet. 
G.  Flocon  de  Niege — Plant  dwarf;  free  flowering;    trusses  very 

large;  flowers  pure  white. 
G.  Guillion  Mayigilli — Splendid  large,  round  truss  of  rich  carmine 

crimson;  prolific  bloomer  and  good  bedder. 
G.  Grand  Chancelier  Faidherbe — A   new  sort;   very  thick  and 

double  flowers  of  a  dark  soft  red,  tinted  with  scarlet  and 

heavily  shaded  with  maroon;  very  dark  and  rich,   and  at 

the  same  time  very  bright;  simply  a  superb  variety. 
G.  Gilded  Gold — Bright  orange  scarlet  or  flame  color;    flowers 

large,  of  fine  form,  branching  habit,  very  constant  bloomer 

and  one  of  the  best  geraniums  either  for  pot  culture  or  for 

bedding. 
G,  Gustave  Dore — A  fine  flower  of  shaded  scarlet,  reverse  buff; 

very  fine. 
G.  General  Saussier — Rosy  salmon,  shaded  into  violet;  a  very 

beautiful  color;  habit  good. 
G.  General    Campenon — Large,   fine  truss,   deep    purplish    red, 

shaded  with  violet. 
G.  General  Billot— l^aige  truss;  extra  large  florets;   its  color  is 

lake,  tinted  with  flame. 
G.  George  Thorpe — The  trusses  are  of  immense  size,   on  very 

strong  foot  stalks;  the  color  is  of  the  most  intense  light 

crimson;    the   habit  is  branching  and  the  foliage   never 

burns;  a  grand  variety. 
G.  Hoff.  Beach — Rich  amaranth  purple:  of  fine  habit  and  robust 

constitution, the  foliage  wearing  well  in  the  hottest  weather; 

the  flowers  are  of  good  size,  the  trusses  large  and  freely 

produced;  a  good  variety  for  bedding. 
G.  Henry  Cannell— The  richest,  most  vivid  and  dazzling  scarlet; 

florets  of  great  size   and  perfect  form;  always   in   bloom. 

Its  glowing,  velvety  color  cannot  be  excelled,  and  it  will 

bed  as  well  as  the  singles;    the    best  double  Geranium 

grown . 
G.  Iroquois— l^ew,  intense  deep  scarlet,  very  large  and  double 

flowers;  very  free  flowering. 
G.  Illuminator — Black  velvety  crimson ;  very  double  and  brilliant; 

quilted. 
G.  John  Fennely — Very  double,  light  salmon,  striped  with  white. 


214  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


G.  J.  C.  Rodbard— Brilliant  red,  upper  petals  tinged  with  purple. 

G.  Jennie  Reid—Yerj  dwarf;  bright  scarlet. 

G.  J.  H.  iCZippar^— Entirely  distinct  from  any  Geranium  yet 
offered;  flowers  double,  of  the  most  dazzling  vermilion 
scarlet,  shaded  with  maliogany  at  base  of  petals;  trusses 
very  large,  often  measuring  five  inches  in  diameter;  of 
globular  shape,  resembling  a  scarlet  ball ;  a  remarkably  free 
bloomer,  and  equaling  General  Grant  as  a  bedder;  a  mag- 
nificent variety;  commended. 

G.  J.  P.  Kirtland—LiSirge,  double  flowers;  color  rich  deep  crim- 
son dashed  with  purple;  upper  petals  stained  with  scarlet. 

G.  Jewel— One  of  the  most  beautiful;  very  dwarf  and  compact; 
bright  scarlet;  very  double. 

G.  James  Vick— Fine  shade  of  crimson;  lower  petals  changing  to 
violet  rose ;  a  new  color. 

G.  J.  P.  Stahl—^ew,  deep  soft  rose,  edged  with  salmon;  a  beau- 
tiful color  and  one  of  the  finest  new  geraniums  introduced. 

G.  John  Heron— Rich  plum  purple;  flowers  and  trusses  larger; 
habit  compact  and  spreading;  a  fine  bedder  and  quite  an 
acquisition. 

G.  La  iVegre— Dark  maroon,  full  and  perfect;  large  trusses;  one 
of  the  best. 

G.  UAhbe  Gregoire— Free  flowering;  the  upper  petals  are  of  a 
fiery  amaranth;  the  lower  of  a  capucine  red. 

G.Lemoines  Cannell-^ew.  This  is  by  far  the  most  highly-col- 
ored Geranium  grown;  as  nearly  as  it  can  be  described,  the 
color  is  a  rich  amaranthine  red;  the  under  petals  very 
strongly  marked  with  purple,  producing  a  very  rich  and 
beautiful  effect. 

G.  Le  Pilofe -Glowing  crimson  scarlet;  very  brilliant,  hand- 
somely-formed flowers,  beautiful  in  its  rich  coloring. 

G.  M.  Hardy— Large  flowers,  very  double;  perfect  in  form;  of  a 
delicate  rosy  pearl  color. 

G.  M.  Puteaux  Chaimhaidt—Flant  dwarf  and  compact  in  form; 
spherical  trusses;  flowers  semi-double;  fine  rose  color;  ex- 
cellent for  pot  culture. 
G.  Mrs.  Cope— Rich  carmine  red,   of  large  size   and   immense 

trusses. 
G.  Madame  Amelia  Baltet—T)wart  habit  and  remarkably  clear; 
double  pure  white,  in  good  trusses;  the  freest  flowering  dou- 
ble white  yet  raised. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  21  5 

G.  Madame  Thibaut — Flowers  very  large,  of  a  rich  rose  color, 
washed  with  violet  carmine;  the  upper  petals  strongly 
marked  white  at  their  bases;  one  of  the  best  for  winter 
flowering. 

G.  Md.  Grangeorge — Bright  mauve;  upper  petals  clear  white 
toward  the  centre;  a  most  beautiful  sort. 

G.  Mrs.  Charles  Pease — Has  flowers  of  an  exquisite  deep  pink 
color,  with  upper  petals  of  each  flower  distinctly  marked 
with  pure  white,  so  much  so  as  to  make  it  appear  as  if  one- 
half  the  flower  is  white,  producing  a  novel  effect;  one  of 
the  best  for  pot  culture. 

G.  M.  Derzard— Enormous  tnisses  of  a  magenta  red,  with  a 
metallic  shade;  a  very  free  bloomer. 

G.  Minister  Constans—Flowev^  very  large  and  full;  bright  orange 
shaded  with  salmon. 

G.  Mary  Anderson — Fine  vermilion  scarlet;  a  flne  new  sort. 

G.  Mrs.  Hayes — Very  double  flowers  of  a  beautiful  light  shade  of 
pink  or  flesh  color;  very  fine. 

G.  Monsieur  Buckler — Flowers  double,  of  good  size;  beautiful 
bright  mahogany  color. 

G.  Monsieur  Dibos — Flowers  well  made,  in  the  form  of  rosettes, 
porcelain  white;  centre  glossy  rose. 

G.  Maiden's  Blush — White,  finely  flaked  with  rose;  a  new  color. 

G.  Paid  St.  Victor — Enormous  truss,  large  florets,  rosy  carmine; 
foliage  fine  and  compact. 

G.  Phallas — A  rich,  apricot  orange;  most  vivid  in  coloring;  trusses 
very  large;  habit  neat  and  free;  fine  and  distinct  bedding 
variety. 

G.  President  Charton — Salmon,  brilliant  at  the  centre,  white  ex- 
tremities of  the  petals 

G.  Peter  Henderson — Bright  orange  scarlet,  very  double;  base  of 
petals  pure  \,  hite;  a  remarkably  fine  Geranium. 

G.  Queen  of  Roses    Dwarf;  beautiful  light  rose  flowers. 

G.  Queen  of  the  Fairies — A  bi-color  variety  of  the  most  perfect 
shape;  rich  flesh  color,  mottled  with  pearly  ,white. 

G.  Robert  George— Deep  crimson  scarlet  of  great  size;  free 
bloomer. 

G.  Sapier  Pompier — Flowers  large,  very  double  and  finely-shaped; 
color  deep  scarlet. 

G.  Syl^jhide— Flowers  delicate,  slightly  tinted  with  lilac,  with  a 
distinct  white  spot  at  the  base  of  the  petals. 


2l6  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


G.  Simon  Delaux — Very  double,  large  pips,  rich  violet  purple. 

G.  Souvenir  de  Castile — A  splendid  variety;  flowers  amaranthine 

red,  beautifully  toned  with  violet;  a  grand  sort. 
G.  Soleilett — In  form  dwarf,  free  blooming;  of  a  rich  violet  lake 

color;  very  tine. 
G.  Siren — Very  large  individual  florets  of  pure  white. 
G.  The  Ghost — Flowers  white,  finely  formed;  petals  waxy  and  of 

great  substance. 
G.  The  Blonde — Salmon,   deeply  shaded  orange;   base  of  petals 

white,  with  a  white  margin, 
G.  Victor  Hugo — Flowers  very  large  and  double,  and    color  a 

flaming  orange  touched  with  the  tints  from  the  dawn  of 

day;  novel  and  superb  effect. 
G.  William  Hamilton — New,  a  grand  variety,  rich  deep  crimson, 

with  very  bright  maroon  shadings;  large  flowers. 
G.  Ziccot  Mangenot—Yery  large  truss,  speckled  with  cream  color 

on  a  ground  of  light  rose,  with  tints  of  carmine. 

IVY-LEAVED  GERANIUMS. 

A  splendid  class  of  climbing  or  trailing  Geraniums,  adapted  for 
baskets,  vases,  rock- work  and  training  on  trellises  in  pot  culture. 
They  have  thick  glossy  foliage  of  a  peculiar  waxy  texture,  pos- 
sessing mostly  the  Ivy-leaf  shape,  w^hich  of  itself  would  be  of 
sufficient  beauty  to  warrant  their  cultivation,  but  they  also  have 
the  charming  attraction  of  beautiful  flowers  as  well  as  foliage. 
They  bloom  with  the  greatest  freedom  during  the  spring  and  sum- 
mer, flowers  varying  from  pure  white  to  dark  rose,  and  the  flowers 
show  to  delightful  advantage,  owing  to  the  habit  of  the  plants. 
The  plants  are  also  interesting  for  bedding,  as  they  grow  freely 
and  creep  beautifully,  if  not  supported,  forming  dense  masses 
of  glossy  green,  covered  with  beautiful  flowers. 

SINGLE-FLOWERED  IVY-LEAVED. 

G.  Butterfly — Bright  rose,  striped  crimson. 

G.  Bridal  Wreath — Fine,  large  trusses  of  pure  white  flowers;  a 
very  distinct  variety. 

G.  Innocence — Pure  white;  excellent. 

G.  V elegante— Kn  extremely  pretty  variety  of  bright  green  foliage, 
with  a  broad  band  of  creamy  white,  often  margined  with 
pink;  its  pure  white  blossoms  are  produced  in  dense  clus- 
ters. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


217 


Ivy-Leaved  Geranium. 

G.  Mrs.  H.  Cannell — Large  trusses  of  flowers  of  a  deep  mauve 
purple,  perfectly  round  and  produced  in  great  abundance; 
largest  flowered  and  most  distinct  ivy-leaved  Geranium 
grown. 

G.  Princess  Alexandria — Blush  pink,  feathered  with  violet  crim- 
son; a  strong  grower;  very  free  flowering,  making  one  of 
the  handsomest  basket  or  vase  plants  that  can  be  grown. 

DOUBLE  FLOWERED  IVY-LEAVED. 

G.  Charm — A  very  fine  large  flower  of  a  beautiful,  bright  pink 
color,  with  rich  crimson  marking  in  the  upper  petals. 

G.  Candeur — Flowers  very  double;  pure  white,  of  excellent  form 
and  habit;  a  very  beautiful  variety. 

G.  Countess  Horace  de  Choiseul — Plant  vigorous;  leaves  without 
zones;  flowers  very  large,  double  and  imbricated  in  good 
trusses;  color  bright  golden  salmon;  the  brightest  colored 
of  all  the  ivy-leaved  varieties;  one  of  the  finesi  hanging- 
basket  plants  grown. 


2l8  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

G.  Glorie  d^Orleayis — A  magnificent  variety;  flowers  very  large, 

of  light  violet  red;  always  in  bloom  and- flowers  in  clusters. 
G.  Jeanne  d'  Arc — Flowers  very  large  and  double,  of  the  purest 

white;  fine  habit;  free  flowering;  the  best. 
G.  la  Rosier e — Flowers  of  perfect  shape,  double  and  of  good  size; 

color  satin  rose;  an  excellent  variet}'. 
G.  Madame  Diibos — In  this  variety  we  have  a  real  advance  in 

double  flowering  Ivy  Geraniums;  the  flowers  are  very  large, 

full,  double;  in  color  a  deep,  beautiful  pink;  an  extra  fine 

sort. 
G.  Monsieur  Pasteur — Flowers  finely  formed,  very  large  petals, 

fine  cherry  color,  suffused  with  rose;  good  habit  and  fine 

grower. 
G.  Plutus — A  fine  variety;    produces  a  fine,   large    rosette-like 

flower  of  a  violet  rose  color. 
G.  Vice-President  Joly— Flowers  rowadi  and  finely-formed;  petals 

imbricated;  color  clear  rosy  lilac.     This  variety  rivals  the 

well-known  zonale'Mme.  Thibaut  in  form  and  color. 

GOLDEN  TRICOLOR    AND  SILVER-LEAVED 
AND  TRICOLOR  GERANIUMS  (33,  50,  85^^). 

As  their  names  imply,  the  chief  merit  of  this  section  consi^s 
in  the  distinctly  margined  and  variegated  foliage,  although, with- 
out an  exception,  they  produce  fine  flowers.  Well-grown  speci- 
mens as  pot  plants  are  exceedingly  handsome  for  decorating  the 
parlor  or  conservatory,  but  they  should  have  a  position  as  near 
the  glass  as  possible,  as  the  colors  will  be  more  clearly  defined  for 
being  thus  treated.  The  different  varieties  are  useful  for  plant- 
ing in  ribbon  beds  to  contrast  with  Coleus,  Achyranthes,  etc.,  or 
for  edgings  to  beds  of  Scarlet  Geraniums,  and  also  for  planting 
in  baskets  and  vases. 

GOLDEN  TRICOLOR  GERANIUMS. 

G.  Countess  of  Tyrconnell — Yellow  margins  with  a  bright  car- 
mine zone. 

G.  Countess  of  Craven — Margin  of  clear  golden  yellow,  with  a 
rich  crimson  zone. 

G.  Crown  Jewel — This  has  a  fine  bold  leaf  and  good  colors. 

Q.  Earl  of  Derby — Zone  dark  chestnut  red  and  black;  margin  of 
golden  yellow. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  219 


Golden  Tricolor  Geranium. 

G.  Edwina  Fitzpatrick — Green,  red  zone,  belted  with  crimson, 
edged  with  golden  yellow. 

G.  Eboi — Broad  gold  margin,  broad  zone,  tinted  with  flame  red. 

G.  Golden  Pheasant — Leaves  green;  centre  bounded  by  a  splendid 
bronze  zone;  rich  yellow  belt. 

G.  Humming  Bird— A  beautifully-shaped  leaf;  it  is  certainly  one 
of  the  best. 

G.  Jetty  Lacy — Bronze  gold  margin,  deep  crimson  zone;  good 
grower. 

G.  Louisa  Smith — Deep  yellow,  margined  with  distinct  zone  of 
bright  red  and  black. 

G.  Mrs.  Pollock — A  magnificent  variety;  the  green  leaf  disc,  over- 
laid by  a  beautiful  bronze  red  zone,  belted  with  bright 
crimson  and  outwardly  margined  with  golden  yellow;  very 
fine  for  the  parlor  or  conservatory  during  winter  and 
spring. 

G.  Needle  Gun — Margined  with  deep  yellow;  zone  bright  and 
lively. 

G.  Queen  of  Tricolors—  Crimson  scarlet  zone,  with  brimstone  edge. 

G.  Rosina  Saul — This  is  a  beautiful  tricolor,  zone  exceedingly 
bright  and  clear,  with  a  bright  yellow  margin. 

G.  Sir  Robert  Napier — The  broadest  and  darkest  zone,  indented 
with  brilliant  scarlet;  flesh-colored  flowers;  extra. 


220  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


G.  Sunset — A  rich,  broad,  outer  golden  belt,  the  inner  margin  of 

which  is  overlaid  with  a  bright  carmine  red  zone  and  flame 

scarlet  tints. 
G.  Sophia  Vumaresque — Golden  margin  marked  by  a  brilliant 

flame-tinted  scarlet  zone. 
G  Socrates — Golden  leaf  margin;  zone  flame  red  upon  a  bronze 

belt. 
G.  Star  of  India — Margin  golden  yellow;  zone  flame  scarlet. 

SILVER-LEAVED  AND  TRICOLOR. 

G.  Argus — Chocolate  zone,  white  and  green  markings;  a  strong 

grower;  one  of  the  best. 
G.  Bijou — Leaves  finely  margined  with  white;  scarlet  flowers. 
G.  Bright  Star — A  white  edge;  scarlet  flowers. 
G.  Brilliant — Leaves  margined  with  white;  bright  scarlet  flowers. 
G.  Cherub — Leaves  deep  green,  white  and  orange;  flowers  carmine. 
G.  Castlemilk — The  whitest  margined  variety;  olive  green  center. 
G.  Countess  of  Warwick— Vigorous  grower;   deep  green,   with 

pinkish  carmine  zone,  creamy  edge. 
G.  Empress  Eugenie — A  rose  zone  on  a  chocolate  ground,  white 

margin. 
G.  Flower  of  Spring — Leaves  margined  white;  scarlet  flowers. 
G.  Fontainbleu — Margined  with  white;  bright  carmine  zone. 
G.  Freak  of  Nature — New;  a  very  unique  and  attractive  variety; 

outside  leaves  light  green,  with  a  large,  pure  white  center; 

flowers  light  scarlet,  dwarf  and  spreading. 
G.  Glen  Eyre  Beauty— A  beautiful  variety  with  well-defined  zone 

of  dark  chocolate  and  rosy  carmine  and  very  pure;  white 

margin. 
G.  Happy  Thought— A  tricolor  Geranium,  with  very  dark  green 

foliage,  having  a  light  creamy,  almost  white  center,  with  a 

dark  band  about  the  light  zone.     It  is  a  beautiful  plant, 

and  flowers  bright  scarlet. 
G.  Little  Beautij—SWyer  margin,  with  pretty  rose-tinted  zone. 
G.  Jane— Leaves  margined  with  white;  very  fine  bedder. 
G.  Mountain  of  Snow— The  finest  of  this  class;  a  vigorous  grower, 

an  abundant  bloomer,  and  for  ribbon  lines  of  massing  is 

one  of  the  best;  the  center  of  the  leaf  is  bright  green;  the 

outer  margin  broadly  marked  with  silvery  white;  one  of 

the  whitest  leaved  sorts;  flowers  bright  scarlet. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


221 


Silver- Leaved  Geranium. 


G.  Mrs.  John  Clutton — A  very  attractive  sort;  leaves  pale  green, 
with  a  creamy  white  edging  and  a  bright  crimson  zone, 
which  is  very  brilliant  on  the  young  foliage,  giving  it 
almost  the  appearance  of  flowers. 

G.  Mad.  Sallervi— A  Yery  compact  variety  of  Silver  Geranium; 
very  fine  for  massing  or  bordering;  a  thrifty,  healthful 
grower,  rarely  reaching  a  height  of  more  than  six  inches; 
leaves  very  small,  of  a  peculiar  clear  green,  edged  with 
pure  white. 

G.  Prince  Silverivings — A  beautiful  variety,  silver  tricolor;  foli- 
age green,  yellow  and  white  edge,  crimson  zone. 

G.  Queen  of  May — Foliage  white,  green,  bronze  and  pink. 


222 


THE  HOME   FLORIST. 


G.  Snowstorm — One  of  the  finest  in  the  class  of  Silver-Leaved 
Geraniums;  the  margin  of  the  leaf  is  very  broadly  mar- 
gined with  white;  dark  green  centre  and  scarlet  flowers. 

G.  Silver  Cord — Pure  white  margin,  green  leaf. 

G.  Silver  Pheasant — A  vigorous  grower  and  good  bedder;  leaves 
margined  creamy  white ;  flowers  scarlet. 

SCENTED  AND  CUT-LEAVED   GERANIUMS. 


The  Geranium  family  affords 
in  this  delightful  section,  a 
remarkable  diversity  of  sweet- 
smelling  odors  in  their  foliage, 
resembling  fruits,  etc.,  which 
is  not  common  with  any  othci 
class  of  plants  to  anything  like 
a  similar  extent.  The  Rose, 
Apple,  Lemon,  Orange  and 
Peppermint  SiYQ  sufficiently  dis- 
tinct in  fragrance  that  no  im- 
agination or  fancy  is  required 
to  detect  the  resemblance  to 
tiie  natural  fruits,  etc.,  from 
which  they  derive  their  names. 
The  Nutmeg  fragrance  in  the 
Cut-Leaved  Geranium.  variety  so  called  is  not  quite  so 

apparent;  neither  is  that  of  the  Citron  and  Pennyroyal,  yet  these 
each  possess  quite  a  distinct  fragrance  which  is  agreeable  and 
desirable  for  variety.  The  Oak-Leaved  variety  closely  resembles 
the  oak  leaf  in  shape;  has  clearly  defined  variegations  and  bears 
attractive  pink  flowers  with  brilliant  dark  spots  on  the  petals. 
Fernifolia  is  a  beautiful  variety  with  very  thin,  finely  cut  leaves 
of  fern-like  texture  and  of  a  transparent  green  color,  which  ren- 
ders it  of  real  interest.  The  Skeleton-Leaved  is  a  very  attractive 
variety  with  foliage  of  a  skeleton-like  appearance,  that  is  to 
say:  the  leaves  are  singularly  cut,  the  fleshy  material  lying  along 
botli  sides  of  the  frame-work  of  ribs,  but  generally  less  than  one- 
eighth  of  an  inch  in  width  in  any  part.  Dr.  Livingstone  some- 
what resembles  the  skeleton-leaved  and  makes  a  remarkably 
pretty  plant.  Lady  Plymouth,  besides  possessing  fragrance,  is 
similar  in  the  form  of  its  foliage  to  the  Rose,  with  distinctly 


THE  HOME  FLORIST.  223 

marked  edges  and  variegations  of  white  throughout.  This  is  a 
beautiful  variety  for  j)ot  culture  or  for  bedding  out.  Sliruhiand 
Pet  is  a  free-growing  variety  with  leaves  of  sweet  fragrance 
somewhat  resembling  Eose  ;  it  grows  rapidly  when  bedded, 
assuming  a  height  of  eighteen  inches,  and  bears  constantly  in 
summer,  hundreds  of  rich  crimson  flowers.  Little  Gem  is  a 
dwarf  grower  and  profuse  bloomer,  with  deep  green  foliage 
resembling  the  Rose  in  form;  very  desirable  as  a  i^ot  or  summer- 
bedding  plant. 

G.  Balm  Scented — Has  very  large  foliage;  deliciously  fragrant. 
G.  Betidini  (Birch -Leaved) — Leaf  small,   flowers  nearly  white  ; 

delicious  birch  fragrance. 
G.  Mrs.  Taylor — Foliage  not  very  fragrant,  but  beautiful;  flowers 

scarlet,  in  good  clusters,  shaped  like  a  small  Pelargonium; 

blooms  very  freely  and  constantly. 
G.  Rose  Scented  -There  are  two  kinds — one  the  broad  leaf  variety 

and  the  other  more  finely  cut. 
All  the  scented  and  cut-leaved  Geraniums  are  valuable  as  pot 
plants,  as  they  are  not  alone  dependent  upon  bloom  to  make 
them  attractive,  although  nearly  all  bear  flowers  freely,  and 
some  are  really  very  desirable  on  this  account.  For  making  bou- 
quets, and  as  a  back  ground  for  button-hole  flowers  they  are 
indispensable.  Their  value  as  bedding  plants  seems  not  to  be 
justly  appreciated  by  cultivators.  They  are  without  exception, 
rapid,  handsome  growers,  and  become,  in  a  short  time  after  bed- 
ding, exceedingly  beautiful.  All  the  varieties  propagate  readily 
from  cuttings,  except  the  Apple,  w^hich  is  reared  from  seed. 

GOLDEN  BRONZE  GERANIUMS. 

This  class  of  Geraniums  has  been  greatly  improved  in  the  last 
few  years,  combining  the  brightest  colored  flowers,  with  beauti- 
ful foliage.  They  are  admirable  bedding  plants,  attracting  all 
by  their  bright  foliage;  even  during  the  heat  of  summer  they  pos- 
sess qualities  that  are  not  attained  by  any  other  class  of  Geran- 
iums. 

SINGLE-FLOWERED  VARIETIES. 

G.  Beauty  of  Caidder dale— Ijight  golden  yellow  foliage,   dark 

chestnut  zone,  scarlet  flowers. 
G.  Black  Hawk — Dark  brown  zone  on  yellow^  ground;  scarlet 

flowers. 


224  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Golden  Bronze  Geranium. 

G.  Bronze  Model — Golden  foliage,  brown  zone,  scarlet  flowers; 
extra  fine. 

G  Crystal  Palace  (rem— Fine  yellow,  with  green  disc;  extra  fine 
bedder. 

G.  Distinction — Very  peculiar  leaf  markings,  not  a  bronze;  the 
leaves  are  enriched  near  the  edge  with  a  very  narrow  zone 
of  deep  black.     Placed  here  for  want  of  class  suitable  for  it. 

G.  Earl  Roslyn— The  foliage  is  large,  of  a  brilliant  yellow  color, 
with  a  broad,  chocolate  zone. 

G,  Exquisite — New;  large  chocolate  zone;  large  golden  yellow  cen- 
ter; edges  variegated;  flowers  salmon,  tipped  white.  A 
perfect  beauty;  no  one  should  fail  to  have  this  fine  Gera- 
nium in  their  collection. 

G.  Fanny — Light  golden  foliage;  chocolate  zone;  the  flowers  are 
large  and  of  a  delightful  peach  color;  very  free  blooming; 
one  of  the  best  winter  blooming  Geraniums  grown.  Excel- 
lent. 

G.  Gen.  R.  E.  iee— Leaves  deep  green,  distinctly  marked  with  a 
large,  light  golden  blotch  in  the  center,  forming  a  well 
marked  variegation;  flowers  dazzling  scarlet,  with  attrac- 
tive white  eye. 

G.  King  of  the  Bronzes — New;  large,  finely  formed  leaves,  with 
broad  chocolate  zone,  in  a  pure  yellow  ground ;  a  striking 
and  distinct  varietv. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  22$ 

O.  Marshal  McMaho7i — The  best  of  all  the  Bronze  Geraniums: 
ground  color  of  leaves,  golden  yellow,  marked  with  a  deep 
chocolate  zone;  a  splendid  bedding  variety.  The  variega- 
tion withstanding  our  hot,  dry  atmosphere  admirably. 

G.  Prince  Henry — Center  of  the  leaf,  rich  yellow ;  zone  very 
broad  and  of  a  rich,  dark  color.  One  of  the  best.  Very 
distinct  and  beautiful. 

G.  Pride  of  Mt.  ^qpe— Large  foliage,  of  a  brilliant  yellow  color, 
with  broad,  chocolate  zone. 

G.  Warrior — Light  yellowish  green  leaf,  with  a  broad,  light  choc- 
olate bronze  zone;  flowers  reddish  scarlet;  a  splendid 
variety. 

G.  Zvlu — Bright  yellow  leaf,  with  very  deep  chocolate  zone. 
Decidedly  the  darkest  and  best  of  this  class. 

DOUBLE-FLOWERED   VARIETIES. 

G.    Corinne— Clear   golden  yellow   foliage,    with  elegant   zone; 

flowers  double;  trusses  good  size;  color  fiery  orange. 
G.  Magician — Foliage  dark  green,  with  greenish-yellowish  disc. 

Flowers  orange  scarlet,  and  foliage  as  fine  as  some  of  the 

golden  tri-colors. 

GESNERA  ZEBUI^ A  {Greenhcmse  Bulbous  Perennial,  35,  60,  90°). 

A  pot  plant  with  beautiful  velvety  foliage  that  is  richly  varie- 
gated in  green  and  maroon.  It  dies  down  to  the  root  at  the  ap- 
proach of  winter,  after  w  hich  w-ater  should  be  withheld  almost 
entirely,  keeping  the  pot  in  a  warm  place.  In  spring  the  bulb 
may  be  repotted,  dividing  it  if  desirable,  and  it  should  then  be 
given  plenty  of  water  to  induce  a  new  growth.  The  plant  likes 
a  sandy  loam  soil,  which  will  be  the  better  for  an  admixture  of 
some  thoroughly  decayed  leaf  mould. 

GLADIOLUS  {Tender  Bulb). 

Of  the  summer  flowering  bulbs  the  Gladiolus  heads  the  list  as 
the  most  imposing,  varied  and  beautiful  class.  The  flowers  on  a 
bed  of  good  varieties  are  gorgeous  and  attractive  beyond  descrip- 
tion. They  are  produced  in  spikes,  two  feet  and  upward  in 
height,  and  have  especially  in  the  newer  varieties,  a  rich,  sub- 
stantial texture,  which  make  them  the  subject  of  irresistible  ad- 
miration from  all  beholders.  By  planting  at  intervals,  from  the 
middle  of  April  till  June,  the  flower  garden  may  be  brilliant  with 


226  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

their  colors  for  several  months  in  summer  and  early  autumn. 

Plant  two  or  three  inches  deep  and  six  or  nine  inches  apart;  keep 

tied  to  stakes,  or,  if  in  beds,  to  twine  stretched  across  the  bed. 

By  the  middle  of  October  take  up  the  bulbs,  leave  them  to  dry 

for  a  few  days,  but  not  exposed  to  frosts,  remove  the  tops,  and 

store  in  a  moderately  warm  dry  place  through  the  winter  for  next 

year's  planting.  The  rapid  natural  increase  of  the  Gladiolus  un- 
der common  cultivation,  together  with  the  slight  first  cost   of 

superior  bulbs,  always  tends  to  make  their  culture  satisfactory. 

G.  Adonis — Light  clierry,  marked  with  white. 

G.  Annatal  Levanneur — Brilliant  crimson,  with  maroon  and 
azure. 

G.  Antonius — Cherry  color,  tinged  with  orange. 

G.  Aristole — Rosy  lilac,  mottled  with  crimson,  yellow  and  car- 
mine. 

G.  Berenice — Eose,  streaked  with  carmine  and  purple. 

G.  Brenclileyensis — Deep  vermilion  scarlet;  fine. 

G.  Chas.  Dickens — Delicate  rose,  blazed  with  crimson  rose. 

G.  Coiu^anti  Fulgens — Brilliant  crimson,  with  yellow. 

G.  Daj)hne — Light  cherry,  with  darker  stripes,  stained  with  car- 
mine. 

G.  De  Audry — Brilliant. 

G.  Don  Juan — Rich,  fiery  orange,  with  darker  marks  and 
blotches. 

G.  Emma — Clear,  deep  carmine;  dwarf, 

G.  Eugene  Verdier — Rich  carmine,  w^ith  deep  crimson  spots. 

G.  Faiiny  Bouguet— Uosj  ^esh  color,  with  carmine  stripe  |  excel- 
lent. 

G.  Galathea— Fine  pinkish  white,  with  carmine  spots  and  stains. 

G.  Gandavensis—'Red,  marked  with  yellow,  amaranth  stripe. 

G.  Gem— 'Rosy  lilac,  slightly  penciled  with  carmine  and  yellow. 

G.  Hercules — Fawn  and  scarlet,  with  yellow. 

G.  John  Bull— White,  slightly  tinged  with  lilac,  and  sometimes 
of  pinkish  color;  large  and  excellent. 

G.  Lelia — Peach  blossom,  stained  lilac. 

G.  Lord  Byron — Brilliant  scarlet,  stained  with  pure  white. 

G.  Madame  de  Vatry — White,  with  violet  crimson  tint. 

G.  Madame  Her  cinque — White,  yellow  and  rosy  violet;  marbled. 

G.  Madame  Hocquin — Blotched  and  marbled  scarlet. 

G,  Madame  La  Fehre—lAg\\t  pink  and  rose. 

G.  Madame  Victor  Verdier — Scarlet  and  rose,  with  violet  spots. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  22/ 


G.  Mars — Fine  form  and  color. 

G.  Mazeppa—llo^j  orange  and  red,  large  yellow  stems;  late. 

G.  Meteor — Dark  brilliant  red  with  wliite  stains. 

G.  Meyerbeer— Very  brilliant  light  red,   blazed  with  vermilion, 

amaranth  stain;  superb. 
G.  Mons.  Fmc7i07i  — Light  salmon  red. 
G.  Nemesis  —Rosy  scarlet,  with  yellow  and  jDurple. 
G.  Ninon  de  Endor — Fine  rose,  flushed  with  carmine. 
G.  Os/ris— Purplish  rose,  with  dark  blotches. 
G.  Pallas — Bright  rose,  shaded  with  orange. 
G.  Princess  de  Montrague — Brilliant  red ;  dwarf. 
G.  Princess  of  TFaZes— White,  blazed  with  carminate  rose. 
G.  Princess  Fred.   William— Flesh  color,  lightly  streaked. 
G.  Proserpine— Rosy  white,  marked  with  deep  rose  and  crimson. 
G.  Rembrandt — Bright  scarlet. 
G.  Stuart  Bow — Violet  rose,  stained  deep  rose. 
G.  Urania— White,  blazed  with  carminate  rose. 
G.  Vesta — "White,  shaded  and  marked  with  carmine  pink. 
G.  Victoria— Rosy  red,  with  a  shght  white  centre. 

GLOXINIAS  (Tender  Bulb). 

These  are  among  the  handsomest  of  our  summer-blooming 
greenhouse  plants,  the  rich  and  varied  coloring  of  the  flowers 
being  beautiful  in  the  extreme:  flowers  2  inches  long  by  U  inches 
in  diameter;  upright  and  pendulous;  colors  crimson,  violet,  rose, 
scarlet,  white  etc.  The  bulbs  siaould  be  started  in  April,  and  af- 
ter blooming  all  summer,  require  a  season  of  rest.  This  can  be 
given  by  gradually  withholdin  g  water  from  them.  After  they  are 
dried  off,  tliey  may  be  kept  in  a  warm,  dry  cellar  or  under  the 
stage  of  a  greenhouse. 

GNAPHALIXJM  LANATUM  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33.  45,  90°). 

A  white-leaved  plant,  of  spreading  habit,  about  one  foot  high; 
well  adapted  for  the  front  lines  of  ribbon  beds,  also  suitable  for 
use  in  baskets  and  vases;  propagated  from  cuttings. 

GODETIA  (Rardy  Annual). 

Annuals  of  good  quality,  readily  grown  from  seed^  which  may 
be  sown  where  they  are  to  flower.  They  thrive  in  any  garden 
soil,  and  bloom  nearly  the  entire  season. 


228  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

GOLDFUSSIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  34,  45,  90°). 

Natives  of  India,  shrubs  -with  dark  green  leaves,  and  spikes  of 
very  pretty  funnel-shaped  flowers,  blooming  most  of  the 
winter  in  moderate  heat  and  moisture.  In  good  friable  soil  they 
will  grow  luxuriantly ;  propagated  from  cuttings. 

G.  anisophylla — Flowers  pale  lilac,  and  very  abundant. 

GOMPHRENA— English  Clover  {Half  Hardy  Annual). 

An  indispensable  class  of  everlasting  flowers,  with  colors  as 
brilliant  and  showy  as  any  belonging  to  this  interesting  group. 
Aside  from  the  desirable  quality  in  the  flowers  of  drying  and  re- 
taining their  forms  and  colors  for  years,  they  are  highly  useful  as 
summer  decorative  plants.  For  this  purpose  they  may  be  planted 
singly  in  the  border,  or  used  for  massing  and  ribboning,  on  ac- 
count of  their  free-flowering  habit.  The  flowers  are  also  useful 
in  their  fresh  state  for  summer  cutting.  The  colors  are  white, 
flesh-color,  dark  purplish  crimson,  and  orange.  Sow  the  seed  in 
a  hot-bed  or  window-box,  quite  early,  and  transplant  the  young 
seedlings,  the  latter  part  of  May,  to  a  foot  apart  in  the  garden. 
By  removing  the  cottony  husk  which  envelopes  the  seed,  it  will 
germinate  more  freely.  For  drying,  do  not  pick  before  they  are 
of  full  size,  which  wall  be  in  August  or  September.  Gomphrenas 
are  also  well  adapted  for  pot  culture  in  summer,  flowering  nearly 
as  freely  in  this  way  as  in  the  open  ground;  for  this  purpose  the 
soil  should  be  rich,  and  no  lack  of  water  allow^ed  at  any  time. 

GOLD  DUST  SHRUB— AucuBA  Japonica  {Greenhouse   Peren- 
nial, 30,  45,  85°). 

A  beautiful  pot  plant,  prized  for  its  attractive  foliage;  the 
leaves,  of  which  are  large,  smooth,  and  of  a  deep  green  color, 
exquisitely  blotched  or  speckled  with  golden  yellow.  The 
plant  is  almost  hardy,  and  will  thrive  under  the  most  ordinary 
treatment;  very  desirable  in  the  window,  conservatory  or  for 
summer  decoration  in  pots. 

GRASSES  FOR  DRYING  {Annuals  and  Biennials). 

These  seed-grown  grasses,  though,  of  course,  not  brilliant  as  re- 
gards colors,  are  always  interesting  in  the  garden  and  not  unde- 
sirable for  cutting  with  flowers  in  summer.  But,  it  is  for  their 
use  with  the  everlasting  flowers  for  the  formation  of  winter 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  229 

bouquets,  wreaths  and  other  ornaments  that  they  are  particularly 
valuable.  For  this  purpose  they  should  be  cut  in  a  green  state 
and  dried  in  the  shade. 

G.  Agrostis  nebulosa — Is  a  most  elegant,  ornamental  grass;  fine 
feathery  and  very  delicate. 

O  Briza  maxima — Is  one  of  the  best  of  the  ornamental  grasses; 
perfectly  hardy;  sow  in  the  open  ground  any  time  in  the 
spring. 

G.  Briza  minor — Is  very  small  and  pretty;  sow  early. 

G.  Bromus  brizaformis—ls  much  like  Briza  Maxima,  but  is  only 
useful  the  second  summer  after  sowing. 

G.  Coix  Lachryma  (Job's  Tears) — This  plant  is  of  no  value  for 
drying  to  be  used  in  the  formation  of  winter  bouquets,  but 
is  grown  for  its  wonderful  bead-like  seeds.  These  appear 
to  be  as  hard  as  glass,  possessing  a  glazed  surface,  and  each 
seed  is  naturally  punctured  with  a  hole,  which  admits  of 
their  being  strung  like  beads ;  not  brilliant,  but  interesting 
and  easily  grown. 

G.  Lagurus  ovatus  (Hare's  Tail  Grass) — Has  a  showy  head;  ex- 
cellent. 

G.  Stipa  pennata  (Feather  Grass) — A  most  useful  and  exceed- 
ingly graceful  and  handsome  grass  for  winter  bouquets, 
flowering  the  second  season.  Wherever  the  seed  is  sown 
the  rows  should  be  distinctly  labeled,  for  the  growth  so 
nearly  resembles  ordinary  grass  that  it  would  be  in  dan- 
ger of  being  weeded  out,  unless  guarded  by  such  means. 

GYMNOSTACHYUM  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  38,  55,  90'). 

Beautiful  pot  plants  for  the  conservatory  or  for  fernery  culture 
in  the  window,  with  smooth  leaves;  richly  painted  with  reticula- 
tions, which  vary  from  red  to  rich  pink  and  white,  on  a  deep 
green  ground.  A  warm,  damp,  shady  place  suits  them  best. 
Propagated  from  cuttings. 

G.  argijronera — Distinctly  veined  with  wiiite;  creeping  habit. 
G.  gigantea — Strong  grower,  veined  with  pink;  creeping  habit. 
G.  Verschaffelti — Beautiful,  veined  with  red;  creeping  habit. 

GYNERIUM  ARGENTEUM— Pampas  Grass.     {Half-Hardy 

Perennial). 

A  highly  ornamental  reed-like  grass  from  South  America, 
attaining  a  height  of  six  or  seven  feet,  with  magnificent  plumes 


230  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

of  white  flowers,  measuring  from  one  to  two  feet  in  length; 
excellent  for  massing  in  lawns,  where  it  presents  a  noble  appear- 
ance. Its  roots  can  be  preserved  through  the  winter  bj  keeping 
in  a  cellar  or  cold  frame.     Propagated  by  division. 

GYPSOPHILA  {Hardy  Annual  and  Perennials). 

Free-flowering,  graceful,  little  plants  for  the  garden.  Readily- 
grown  from  the  seed,  and  bears  very  small,  rose-colored  flowers 
on  delicate  stems,  which  present  an  exceedingly  light  and  airy 
appearance,  somewhat  resembling  the  seeds  of  grasses. 

HABROTHAMNUS  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  34,  45,  85°). 

The  following  graceful  species  are  greenhouse  plants  of  easy 
cultivation.  They  may  be  trained  as  vines  or  as  small  ti'ees. 
Grow  in  fibrous  loam  and  a  little  sand;  they  are  among  the  gay- 
est of  shrubs,  with  their  panicles  of  red  and  purple  flowers,  which 
are  borne  in  profusion.  Propagated  from  cuttings:  H.  elegans, 
flowers  bright  carmine  or  purpk ;  H.  coccineus,  bright  scarlet, 
tassel-like  flowers.     Both  varieties  are  good  winter  bloomers. 

HANGING  BASKET,  VASE  AND  TRELLIS  PLANTS.     Select 

list,  page  40. 

HEDERA.     See  Ivy. 

HELIANTHUS— Sun  Flower  {Hardy  Annual). 

A  well-known  genus  of  rather  coarse,  large  flowering  plants  for 
the  garden,  which  can  be  rendered  useful  in  mixed  collections  of 
tall  growing  Ricinus,  Cannas,  etc.,  in  beds  in  the  back-ground. 
There  are  double  and  single  varieties,  all  of  which  may  be  grown 
with  the  greatest  ease  by  sowing  the  seed  where  they  are  to 
bloom.     There  are  also  some  hardy  perennial  species. 

HELICHRYSUM— Everlasting  Flower  {Hardy  Annual). 

Everlasting  flowers  of  great  merit  for  winter  bouquets  and 
other  indoor  decorations,  as  well  as  for  their  beauty  in  the  flower 
garden  in  the  summer.  There  are  several  beautiful  and  even 
brilliant  colors  and  shades,  including  dark  purple,  yellow,  orange, 
white,  bright  rose,  etc.  Some  of  the  colors  are  not  common  to 
the  other  families  of  everlastings.  The  flowers  also  being  very 
double,  should  not  be  overlooked  by  the  cultivator  who  is  seeking 
good  kinds  for  drying.      Cut  the  flowers  before  they  are  fully 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  23  I 

expanded,  and  also  cure  some  of  the  buds,  which  make  up  beau- 
tifully, and  are  desirable  for  variety.  The  young  plants  trans- 
plant readily;  the  seed  may  be  sown  in  the  hot-bed  or  in  the 
house  in  April,  afterwards  setting  the  seedlings  out  at  a  distance 
of  a  foot  apart. 

HELIOTROPE  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  85°). 

This  is  an  important  plant  either  for  pot  culture  or  bedding 
out.  The  flowers,  which  are  freely  produced,  are  prized  for 
their  delicate  colors,  they  being  colors  that  are  rare  among  choice 
flowers -but,  above  all,  for  their  delicious,  vanilla-like  odor, 
which  has  given  to  the  plant  a  great  reputation  among  fra- 
grant flowers.  The  plants  make  a  rapid  growth  in  the  open  air 
and  bear  an  immense  number  of  flowers  until  frost.  For  winter 
blooming  in  the  window  or  conservatory  it  is  best  to  start  with 
young  plants  of  the  spring  previous,  or  some  propagated  from 
young  shoots  in  May  or  June.  Such  will  make  strong  plants  by 
the  first  of  October,  provided  they  have  been  brought  along  in 
rich  soil,  and  have  never  become  badly  pot- bound  before  receiving 
a  shift  into  larger  pots;  and  always  amply  supplied  with  water. 
For  winter  flowers  the  Heliotrope  should  be  given  the  most  sunny 
exposure  that  can  be  afforded,  providing  it  is  sufficiently  warm, 
as  they  will  not  thrive  in  much  shade.  Wach  the  foliage  occa- 
sionally and  see  that  no  red  spider  attacks  the  plants.  The  soil 
should  contain  a  small  portion  of  sand.  The  Heliotrope  can  be 
grown  to  a  great  age  by  training  the  shoots  to  a  trellis,^kit  its 
culture  is  more  satisfactory,  with  plants  that  are  renewed  each 
year,  and  then  keeping  them  bushy,  by  pinching  back. 

H.  B.  Pfitzer — Lavender  rose,  shaded. 

H.  Cardinal  Richelieu — Bright  bluish  lavender. 

H.  Caroline  des  Antoines — Lilac-blue. 

H.  Chieftain — Light  blue;  exceedingly  flne. 

H.  Due  de  Lavendary — Rich  blue,  dark  eye. 

H.  Florence  Nightingale— lAght  lavender. 

H.  Incomparable — Light;  very  fragrant. 

H.  Juliette — Dark  violet;  the  darkest  sort. 

H.  Mrs.  Burgess — Deep  lilac. 

H.  S7101V  Wi^eath — Pure  white;  fragrant;  the  best  of  its  color. 

H.  Swanley  Giant— The  color  might  be  termed  a  carmine  rose. 
The  size  of  the  truss  is  immense,  often  measuring  ten 
inches  in  diameter,  and  of  the  most  exquisite  fragrance. 


232     '  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

HELIPTERUM  SANFORDII  {Tender  Annual). 

A  choice  and  distinct  everlasting  flower,  growing  less  than  one 
foot  in  height,  with  large,  globular  clusters  of  bright  golden  yel- 
low, star-like  flowers,  which,  individually,  are  of  small  size. 
Very  desirable  for  winter  bouquets,  and  cutting  fresh  in  summer. 
Sow  in  heat  and  transplant  to  the  garden  after  all  danger  of  frost. 

HESPEEIS  MATEONALIS  ALBA  PLENO  {Hardy  Herbaceous 

Perenyiial). 

A  fine,  hardy,  herbaceous  plant,  with  spikes  of  clear,  double 
white  flowers  a  foot  long,  produced  in  early  summer,  and  which 
are  highly  esteemed  for  their  fragrance  and  beauty. 

HETEROCENTRON  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  45,  90°). 

A  genus  of  vigorous  growing,  free  blooming  plants  of  easy  cul- 
tivation ;  they  also  bed  out  in  the  open  air  with  equal  facility. 
Pot  in  good,  light,  fibrous  soil,  with  plenty  of  drainage ;  they  are 
a  fine  class  of  winter  blooming  plants;  propagated  by  cuttings. 
H.  album — Long  racemes  of  white  flowers,  produced  freely. 
H.  roseum — Color  of  the  flowers  pale  rose ;  a  valuable  plant. 

HIBISCUS  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  90"). 

The  Chinese  Hibiscus  are  among  our  most  gaudy  sub-tropical 
shrubs,  with  very  glossy  foliage.  They  can  be  grown  in  tubs  and 
kept  for  years  by  wintering  over  in  a  warm  dry  cellar  or  pit,  or 
by  placing  them  in  a  greenhouse  at  that  season  will  well  repay 
the  little  care  bestowed  on  them  in  return  for  the  profusion  of 
brilliant  bloom  they  will  bear.  They  are  also  admirably  adapted 
for  bedding  in  the  open  border  during  summer,  and  under  the 
hottest  sun  will  produce  gorgeously  colored  flowers  of  enormous 
size,  averaging  five  or  six  inches  in  diameter.  They  make  noble 
specimen  plants  and  are  easily  propagated  from  cuttings. 

H.  auranticum  plena —Double  orange,  salmon  flowers. 

H.  Cooperi  tricolor — Foliage  beautifully  variegated  with  dark 
green,  pink  and  white;  flowers  crimson. 

H.  Collerii — A  remarkably  new  distinct  variety,  introduced  from 
the  South  Sea  Islands.  Flowers  buff  yellow,  with  a  crim- 
son scarlet  base,  and  particularly  handsome. 

H.  Denisoni-rosea — Large  single  flowers;  clear,  transparent  rose, 
changing  to  pure  white. 


THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


233 


Hibiscus. 

H.  grandiflorus — Rich  glossy  foliage,  blooming  profusely  through 
the  summer,  literally  covering  the  plant  with  scarlet-crim- 
son single  flowers. 

H.  miniatus  semi-plena — The  finest  and  most  brilliant,  semi-dou- 
ble vermilion  scarlet  flowers;  petals  waved  and  recurved 
and  very  handsome. 

H.  magnificus — Very  large  flower  and  of  perfect  form ;  color  deep 
magenta,  ends  of  the  petals  touched  with  brown;  foliage 
finely  toothed. 

H.  rosa  sinensis — Flowers  red  and  very  large,  averaging  nearly 
five  inches  in  diameter. 

H.  rvbra  plena — A  magnificent  double  variety,  with  large  red 
flow^ers. 

H.  Schizojjetalus— Flowers  drooping,  with  reflected  orange-red 
laciniated  petals  ;  a  curious  and  valuable  variety. 

H.  sub-violaceous — Flowers  enormous ;  semi-double,  clear  car- 
mine, tinted  with  violet ;  probably  the  largest  flower  in  the 
Hibiscus  (Chinensis)  family,  and  an  unusually  free  bloomer. 
It  is  a  pleasure  to  recommend  this  fine  plant. 


234  THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


H.  versicolor — A  variety  combining  in  its  flowers  all  colors  of  the 

whole  family,    being  handsomely    striped,    crimson,    buff 

rose  and  white. 
H.    zebrinus  —Double,  outer  petals  scarlet,  edged  w^th  yellow ; 

inner  petals   very   irregular,    curiously    variegated,    with 

creamy-yellow  and  scarlet. 

HOLLYHOCK  {Hardy  Herbaeous  Perennial). 

A  well-known  and  splendid  hardy  plant  for  the  garden,  rank- 
ing with  the  Dahlia  for  summer  decoration,  and,  from  its  stately 
growth  and  the  varied  colors  of  its  magnificent  spikes  of  flowers, 
may  justly  demand  a  place  in  every  collection  wdiere  suitable  sit- 
uations for  its  tall  growth  are  found.  It  may  be  perpetuated 
from  the  seed,  or  by  dividing  the  roots.  The  plants  flower  the 
second  year,  from  seed  sown  in  the  spring  or  before  the  first  of 
September.  To  increase  it  by  division,  the  stalks  should  be  cut 
down  in  August,  afterwards  dividing  the  roots  with  a  sharp 
knife.  They  are  impatient  of  a  wet  soil  and  will  winter  badly 
unless  grown  where  it  is  dry,  a  well  drained  light  rich  soil  being 
best  suited  to  them. 

HONEYSUCKLE— Woodbine  Lonicera  (Hardy  Climber). 

The  Honeysuckles  are  among  the  most  desirable  of  all  our  hard 
climbers.  Certain  it  is  that  the  associations  connected  with  the 
fragrant  Honeysuckle  will  make  them  always  popular.  Among 
flowers  none  are  more  classic  in  flower-lore.  For  real  home  vines, 
to  be  near  you,  clambering  over  your  windows  and  doorways, 
there  is  nothing  prettier  or  more  desirable  than  fine,  sweet-scented 
Honeysuckles  ;  the  foliage  is  pretty,  neat  and  clean,  the  flowers 
almost  continuous  and  their  fragrance  delicious.  Propagated 
from  cuttings. 
H,  Chinese  Evergreen — This  variety  blooms  nearly  all  the  season 

and  is  deliciously  fragrant  ;  flowers  buff-yellow  and  white; 

retains  its  foliage  during  winter,  making  it  very  desirable. 
H,  Aurea  reticulata  or  Golden-Leaved  Honeysuckle — A  variety 

with  beautiful  variegated  foliage;  the  leaves  are  netted  and 

veined  with  clear  yellow,    flowers  yellow  and  fragrant. 

This  variety  is  somewhat  tender  and  requires  slight  pro-i 

tection. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  235 

H.  HaUiana—{E.silVs  Japan)— This  species  is  the  most  constant 
bloomer  of  the  class,  being  literally  covered  all  summer 
with  its  beautiful  yellow  and  white  flowers,  which  are  very 
fragrant. 

H.  Bed  Coral  or  Scarlet  Trumpet— This  is  the  old  well-known 
variety  ;  it  is  a  rapid  grower,  the  flowers  are  bright  red  and 
trumpet-shaped. 

H.  European  Sweet-scented  (Belgian) — A  flue  hardy  grower;  flow- 
ers large  and  exceedingly  sweet;  color  bluff,  yellow  and 
red;  a  constant  bloomer;  the  finest  Honeysuckle;  suitable 
for  trellis  or  pillar. 

H.  Yellow  Trumpet  (flava) — A  fine  grower,  yellow  flowers. 

HOYA  CARNOSA— Wax  Plant  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35, 

50,  90=). 

A  pot  plant  of  climbing  habit,  with  finely  fprmed,  thick,  waxy 
foliage,  and  well  adapted  to  window  and  conservatory  cul- 
ture. The  flowers,  which  are  produced  in  clusters,  have  a  pearly, 
wax-like  appearance,  and  are  star-shaped,  with  a  pink  or  crimson 
center.  The  plants  are  of  easy  culture  and  continue  to  increase 
in  beauty  for  years  if  provided  with  suitable  trellis  for  support. 
The  Hoya  does  not  require  much  water,  when  growing  in  the 
window,  it  should  have  its  foliage  cleaned  of  accumulating  dust 
occasionally.  There  is  also  a  variegated  variety;  foliage  deep 
green,  broadly  bordered  and  margined  with  pink  and  pure  white. 
Both  varieties  easily  propagated  from  cuttings. 

HYACINTH  {Hardy  Bulb). 

The  Hyacinth  is  a  well-known  genus  of  those  hardy  bulbs  that 
are  planted  in  the  fall  and  which  flower  early  in  the  spring.  In 
common  with  the  Tulip,  Crocus,  etc.,  it  is  adapted  for  winter 
flowering  in  the  window  or  conservatory,  and  is  preferred  above 
all  other  bulbs  for  such  purposes.  The  flowers  are  very  fragrant, 
of  beautiful  forms,  both  double  and  single,  possess  attractive  col- 
ors, and  remain  beautiful  for  a  great  length  of  time,  either  wlieu 
forced  or  in  the  open  air.  In  the  garden  they  should  be  planted 
six  or  eight  inches  apart  and  four  inches  deep.  On  pages  32  and 
52  will  be  found  directions  for  cultivating  the  Hyacinth,  and 
other  bulbs  of  similar  requirments,  in  the  garden  and  in  pots  for 
winter  blooming. 


236 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Hyacinth, 


HYDRANGEA   {Greenhouse  Perennial  and  Hardy  Shrub,  32, 

45,  80°). 

A  species  of  woody  shrubs,  generally   hardy  throughout  the 

Middle  States  when  protected,  with  the  exception  of  Paniculata 

grandiflora,  which  is  perfectly  hardy.      They  do  the  best  in  a 

cool,  moist  and  shady  situation;  propagated  by  cuttings. 

H.  Hortensis  variegata — Is  a  somewhat  rare  and  beautiful  variety 

of  the  preceding,  with  the  foliage  distinctly  blotched  with 

clear  white  upon  green.     It  is  readily  gro\^'n  and  forms  one 

of  the  most  delightful  variegated  house  plants  which  can 

be  cultivated. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  23/ 


H.  Hortensis  -Is  a  well-known  pot  plant,  and  much  esteemed  for 
its  great  profusion  of  elegant  but  monstrous  flower-heads, 
which  pass  in  rotation  through  several  shades  of  pink  col- 
ors, and  remain  upon  the  plant  for  months.  The  plants 
succeed  rather  better  in  a  shady  place  than  where  it  is 
sunny,  on  which  account  they  are  valuable  for  house  cul- 
ture. The  pot  plants  require  a  plentiful  supply  of  water 
during  their  season  of  growth  and  flowering.  Being  toler- 
ably hardy,  in  the  Southern  States  it  maybe  planted  in  the 
open  air  and  remain  out  during  winter  with  protection, 
and  here  it  will  flower  profusely  from  June  to  October. 

H.  Thomas  Hogg  — The  immense  trusses  of  flowers  are  first 
slightly  tinged  with  green,  becoming  of  the  purest  white 
and  remaining  so  a  long  time;  the  florets  are  of  good  sub- 
stance and  of  fine  texture,  making  them  very  desirable  for 
decorative  purposes;  the  clusters,  wiien  well  grown,  are 
very  large,  being  from  twelve  to  eighteen  inches  across. 

H.  Schizophragma  hydrangeoides  (New  Climbing)— A  new  vari- 
ety from  Japan.  Mr.  Thomas  Hogg  describes  it  as  grow- 
ing in  its  native  wilds  to  the  height  of  fifty  feet,  producing 
corymbs  of  white  flowers  similar  to  the  ordinary  Hydran- 
gea. It  climbs  exactly  like  Ivy,  and  one  can  imagine  the 
effect  of  a  wall  or  a  tree  so  covered  while  in  full  bloom. 
Eeported  to  be  perfectly  hardy. 

H.  paniculata  grandijlora— This  is  one  of  the  most  valuable 
hardy  shrubs  in  cultivation.  It  attains  a  height  of  three  or 
four  feet,  and  is  perfectly  hardy  in  all  parts  of  uhe  country. 
The  flowers  are  white,  borne  in  immense  pyramidal  pani- 
cles nearly  a  foot  in  length.  The  plants  should  be  cut  back 
every  Spring  at  least  one-half  of  the  last  season's  growth, 
as  the  flowers  are  borne  on  new  wood  and  are  much  finer 
when  the  plants  are  treated  in  this  way.  Fine  for  cemetery 
decoration. 

H.  Otaksa — A  splendid  variety  from  Japan.  Flowers  large, 
bright  pink,  tinted  with  blue;  produced  very  freely. 

ICE  PLANT.     (See  Mesembryanthemum.) 

IBERIS.     (See  Candytuft.) 

IMPATIENS  SULTANI  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  40,  55,  90°). 

This  is  one  of  the  most  distinct  and  beautiful  of  -all  flowering 
plants    of    recent    introduction,    either    as    a   winter-blooming 


238  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

pot-plant,  or  for  bedding  in  the  border  in  the  summer.  It  is  of  a 
compact  neat  habit  of  growth,  with  good  constitution,  and  a  per- 
petual bloomer;  the  flowers  are  of  a  brilliant  rosj'-scarlet  color,  of  a, 
peculiarly  distinct  but  most  effective  hue,  about  one  and  a  half 
inches  in  diameter,  and  are  produced  singly  or  in  twos  and  threes 
from  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  especially  toward  the  summit  of  the 
stems,  but  so  freely  that  a  well-grown  specimen  appears  to  be 
quite  a  ball  of  flowers.     It  propagates  by  cuttings. 


JPOMCEA  (Tender  Annual). 

A  splendid  family  of  climbers,  with  which  the  Morning  Glory 
is  classed  by  some,  although  all  the  varieties,  besides,  are  more 
tender  than  this  well-known  climber.  Our  seasons  are  rather 
short  in  the  North  to  derive  great  satisfaction  from  the  tender 
kinds,  unless  they  are  brought  forward  in  heat.  By  sowing  the 
seed  in  March  or  April  and  cultivating  in  pots,  or  transplanting, 
with  great  care,  to  a  sheltered  situation  in  the  ground  after  June 
first,  they  will  amply  repay  all  the  care  bestowed  upon  them,  and 
will,  by  this  means,  flower  profusely  until  frosts.  There  will  be 
little  use  of  sowing  tlie  seeds  in  the  open  ground  before  the  last 
of  May,  as  the  soil  must  be  warm  to  enable  them  to  germinate. 
The  seeds  are  hard,  and  previous  to  sowing  should  be  soaked  in 
boiling  water,  and  allowed  to  remain  until  the  water  is  cold.  The 
Ipomoeas  are  very  desirable  plants  for  cultivation  in  pots  for  con- 
servatory decoration.  Under  any  circumstances,  they  require  a 
soil  well  enriched  with  rotten  manure. 

I.  coccinea  (Star  Ipomoea)  — Is  a  handsome  variety  of  free 
growth  and  profuse  blooming  habits,  especially  after  mild 
summer.  The  product  consists  of  small,  bright  scarlet 
flowers  that  are  very  attractive.  This  species  does  quite 
well  ordinarily,  by  sowing  in  the  open  ground,  towards  the 
end  of  May. 
I.  hederacea  grandiflora — Includes  several  beautiful  varieties, 
with  flowers  somewhat  similar  to  the  Morning  Glory,  but 
much  larger  and  of  the  most  delicate  colors,  such  as  light 
blue,  blue  with  a  white  edge,  blue  with  a  purple  center, 
white  with  pink  center,  and  white  shaded  with  purplish 
red.  They  are  exceedingly  handsome  and  w^ell  repay  the 
care  necessary  to  rear  them. 


THE  HOME  FLORIST.  239 


I.  Quamoclit  (Cypress  Vioe) — Is  an  exceedingly  beautiful  variety, 
that,  for  elegance  of  foliage,  gracefulness  of  habit,  and 
loveliness  of  flowers,  is  without  a  rival  among  annual 
climbing  plants,  but  it  is  quite  tender.  There  are  varieties 
with  scarlet,  white  and  rose-colored  flowers,  all  of  which 
open  in  the  morning,  aud  contrast  delightfully  with  the 
rich  green,  delicately  cut  foliage. 

IPOMCEA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  80°). 

I.  Mortonii — A  valuable  vine  or  creeper,  well  suited  either  for 
climbing  on  trellis  work  or  drooj)ing  over  the  sides  of  bas- 
kets or  vases;  flowers  pinkish  lilac. 

L  noctijJhiton  (Evening  Glory,  or  j\Ioon  Flower) — As  a  climber  of 
rapid  growth  to  cover  arbors,  verandas,  old  decayed  trees 
or  walls,  it  has  no  superior.  Its  flowers  are  pure  white, 
five  inches  in  diameter,  moon-like  and  as  they  expand  at 
night  have  a  striking  effect :  both  of  the  greenhouse  varie- 
ties are  propagated  by  cuttings. 

IRIS — Flower  de  Luce  {Bulbous  Hardy  Perennials). 

Garden  plants  of  elegant  habit  and  beautiful  flowers,  compris- 
ing several  divisions— those  most  commonly  met  with  being  the 
English  and  Spa7iish  Iris,  which  are  bulbous,  and  the  German 
Iris,  w^hich  are  the  well-known  hardy,  tuberous  perennials,  gen- 
erally going  by  the  name  of  Flag  Lily,  and  which  thrive  in  any 
garden  soil. 

English  and  Spanish  Iris. — This  division  includes  numerous 
varieties,  flovvering  in  June,  which  embrace  the  most  delicate 
shades  of  light  and  dark  blue,  brown,  purple,  yellow,  white  and 
variously  striped  and  spotted  flowers  of  exceedingly  handsome 
appearance.  The  bulbs  should  be  planted  in  the  Autumn,  with 
Hyacinths,  Tulips  and  other  hardy  bulbs  (see  directions,  page  32), 
and  need  not  be  taken  up  oftener  than  once  in  three  years.  These 
are  also  desirable  for  pot  culture  in  winter  (see  ' '  Culture  of  Hya- 
cinths and  other  Hardy  Bulbs  for  Winter  Decoration,"  page  52). 
The  English  varieties  are  of  more  robust  habits  than  the  Spanish, 
but  in  other  respects  quite  similar. 

German  Iris.— These  are  valuable  plants  for  the  garden,  being 
of  the  easiest  culture  in  any  soil,  and  producing  many  beautiful 
flowers  in  the  Spring.  There  are  numerous  varieties,  of  almost 
as  many  colors  and  shades,  including  yellow,  blue,  purple,  white 


240 


THE   HOME  FLORIST. 


and  salmon — some  distinctly  of  one  color,  and  others  striped, 
spotted  and  tipped  with  various  colors.  The  tubers  grow  rapidly 
and  should  be  taken  up  once  every  three  or  four  years,  and  be 
re-set. 


ISOLEPSIS  GRACILIS  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  55,  85°). 

A  small  genus  of  very  pretty,  low-growing,  fine,  rush-like 
grasses;  they  are  peculiarly  adapted  for  hanging  baskets,  vases, 
window  boxes,  etc.  One  variety  is  plain  green,  and  another  sort 
is  green  with  a  bluish  or  white  caste,  which  makes  it  very  effec- 
tive; increased  by  division. 

IVY — Hedera  {Hardy  and  Tender  Perennials). 


Sometimes  I  think  the  reason 
why  Ivies  are  not  grown  in 
every  house  is,  because  ama- 
teurs have  not  all  become  ac- 
quainted with  their  perfect 
adaptability  to  house  culture. 
In  the  first  place  the  Ivy  natur- 
ally delights  in  a  situation, par- 
tially or  wlioUy  shaded  from 
the  sun,  which  allows  of  its  be- 
ing grown  or  trained  in  any 
part  of  the  room,  and  at  a  dis- 
tance from  the  w^indow.  Then 
again,  wholly  unlike  most 
plants,  the  Ivies  are  not  at  all 
particular  as  regards  tempera- 
ture, or  whether  the  atmos- 
Jvy.  phere  is  dry  or  damp.     Frosts 

do  not  affect  the  plants  as  they  are  evergreen,  and  all  the  varie- 
ties are  nearly,  some  quite  hardy  in  the  latitude  of  Buffalo,  while 
on  the  other  hand,  they  will  all  bear  75^  or  upwards  of  heat  with 
imj)unity.  The  plant  requires  but  little  attention,  is  exception- 
ally free  of  insects  and  would  continue  to  thrive  for  a  long  time 
under  neglect  that  would  kill  most  other  plants  outright.  It  is 
true  the  Ivy  ordinarily  bears  no  flowers,  but  the  foliage  presents 
a  remarkably  bright  and  glossy  appearance,  and  is  of  an  attrac- 
tive green  color,  except  where  variegated  or  blotched;  besides  in 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  24I 


the  different  varieties  numerous  distinct  and  interesting  forms 
and  variegations  exist  permanently,  on  which  account  we  do  not 
mind  the  lack  in  this  respect.  The  Ivy  is  a  very  tractable  climber 
and  if  planted  in  a  large-sized  pot  and  is  kept  in  the  jDarlor  or 
sitting-room,  it  may  be  trained  to  cover  the  side  of  the  room  or 
ceiling,  festoon  a  pillar,  climb  and  train  about  a  window  sill,  or 
u^>  a  wire  screen  or  trellis,  and  endless  other  uses.  It  is  also  un- 
equaled  as  a  climber  or  drooper  for  hanging  baskets.  As  a  rule, 
the  variegated  varieties  are  of  slower  growth  than  the  others, 
and  not  so  good  for  planting  where  a  large  space  is  to  be  covered 
with  foliage,  but  for  pot  culture  they  are  excellent.  Propagate 
easily  from  cuttings  or  by  layers. 

H,  bicolor — A  variety  of  free  growth,  the  leaves  edged  with  sil- 
very white. 
H.  canariensis  (English  Ivy) — An  excellent  variety  for  cultiva- 
tion in  the  house,  being  a  free  grower  and  very  beautiful. 
H.  canariensis  marinarata — Very  similar  to  the  above,   except 
that  the  foliage  is  distinctly  marbled  with  silvery  white  and 
yellow;  vigorous. 
H.    chrysocarpa — Exceedingly  pretty,   with    narrow,   elongated 

leaves;  a  handsome  and  free  grower. 
H.  folia  picta — Leaves  clearly  blotched  with  golden  yellow. 
H.   gracilis — A  slender,   rapid-growing  variety,  with  attractive 
narrow-lobed  leaves;  by  pinching  back  the  ends  of  shoots, 
to  induce  a  dense  growth,   it  forms  a  beautiful  pot  plant 
without  a  trellis;  also  superior  as  a  drooper  in  baskets,  etc. 
M.  Helix  (Irish   Ivy) — The   hardiest  of  all  Ivies;  leaf  similar  to 
Canariensis;  will  thrive  unprotected  in  the  North,  if  planted 
where  the  sun  in  winter  cannot  strike  it. 
H.  japonica  argentea— Silver  margined  Japanese;  distinct. 
H.   latifolia,  macidata — A   free-growing  variety,     marbled  and 

blotched  in  a  very  attractive  manner. 
H.  marginata  Cullissi — Cullis'  silver  margined;  very  fine. 
H.  marginata  elegantissima — Margined  with  light  yellow. 
H.  palmata  (Pa,\m-\eB,t  Ivy) — An  attractive  and  interesting  Ivy, 

with  beautifully  defined  foliage. 
H.  poetica  (Poet's  Ivy) — A  handsome  variety,  of  beautiful  form 

of  leaf  and  growth. 
H.  regneriana — Very  large  leaves  of  roundish  outline  and  massive 

growth. 
H.  rJiomha  variegata — Silver  margined,  distinct  and  beautiful. 


24:2  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

H.  conglomerata — A  very  curious  dwarf  form  of  fan-like  grow^th; 
small  crested;  erect  foliage. 

IVY  PARLOR,  OR  GERMAN.     See  Senecio. 
IXORA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  90°). 

Among  our  most  splendid  flowering  plants,  requiring  a  high 
temperature  and  moist  atmosphere.  Care  must  be  taken  to  keep 
them  free  from  injurious  insects,  as  they  are  very  liable  to  the  at- 
tacks of  mealy  bug  and  scale.  Pot  in  good  strong  peat,  fibrous 
loam  and  a  little  saiid.  Shade  and  water  must  never  be  neglected. 
They  produce  their  handsome  flowers  in  corymbs  of  a  variety  of 
colors;  should  be  more  generally  grown;  propagated  from  cuttings. 

I.  blanda — Very  conspicuous  scarlet  flowers. 

I.  coccinea  superba — Large  heads  of  orange  scarlet  flowers. 

I.  Frazeri — Light  orange  scarlet;  elegant. 

I.  princeps — Bright  scarlet;  brilliant. 

I.  regina — Rich  violet-salmon  color;  large  trusses. 

JAPANESE  STRIPED  MAIZE  {Tender  Annual), 

A  plant  closely  allied  and  quite  similar  to  the  common  Indian 
Corn,  the  foliage  of  which  is  beautifully  ytriped  throughout  its 
entire  length  with  white  of  various  widths,  rendering  the  plant 
very  effective  when  grouped  with  Cannas,  Helianthus,  Holly- 
hocks, Ricinus,  etc. ,  or  if  planted  in  ribbon  lines.  May  be  started 
in  pots  about  May  1st,  or  planted  where  wanted  several  weeks 
later.  The  plant  retains  its  attractiveness  for  a  long  time,  as  it 
does  not  tassel  and  seed  as  freely  as  the  common  Maize  or  Indian 
Corn. 

JASMINE    OR    Jessamine    {Greenhouse    Perennial  and  Hardy 

Shrub,   35,  50,  85°). 

The  Jasmine  is  a  favorite  greenhouse  or  house  plant  everywhere 
north,  while  in  the  south  it  is  perfectly  hardy.  It  is  the  idol  of 
the  poets  and  one  of  the  sweetest  flowers.  Among  the  species  are 
found  equally  desirable  subjects  for  decorating  the  greenhouse 
and  the  out-door  border,  combining  in  every  instance  freedom 
and  elegance  w^ith  the  most  delicious  fragrance;  propagates  from 
cuttings. 


THE  HOME   FLORIST. 


243 


Jasmine,  or  Gardenia. 

J.  Radicals — A  narrow-leaved  variety  of  the  Cape  Jasmine;  very 
fragrant  double  white  flowers. 

J.  hirsiitum — Produces  its  pure  white  flowers  in  great  abund- 
ance ;  very  fragrant. 


244  THE   HOME  FLORIST. 

J.  grandiflorum  (Catalonian  Jasmine) — A  plant  for  pot  culture; 
of  climbing  habit,  with  delicately  cut  foliage,  and  which  is 
much  esteemed  for  the  fragrance  of  its  pure  white  single 
flowers.  Fine  for  winter  flowering  in  a  warm  light  window 
or  in  the  conservatory;  it  can  be  trained  to  a  stake  or 
trellis,  or  be  planted  for  twining  up  pillars.  The  soil  in 
which  it  is  grown  should  be  loose  and  of  a  fertile  character. 

J".  Maid  of  Orleans — Very  large,  creamy  white,  fragrant  flowers. 

J.  Grand  Duke  of  Tuscany —The  finest  of  all  double  Jasmines  for 
scent,  wdiich  is  quite  distinct  from  any  other  flower;  blos- 
soms very  white  and  double,  resembling  white  roses,  and  in 
flower  a  long  time. 

J.  poetica — Similar  to  the  Catalonian  Jessamine;  flowers  smaller, 
but  borne  on  larger  spikes.  The  leaves  are  larger,  and  it  is 
a  stronger  grower;  makes  a  most  valuable  climbing  plant, 
though,  if  desired,  it  can  be  grown  in  bush  form;  fragrant. 

J,  revolutum — A  yellow-flowered  Jessamine,  growing  rapidly  to 
the  height  of  from  ten  to  twenty  feet.  A  splendid  plant 
for  the  Southern  States,  as  it  is  hardy  south  of  Maryland; 
very  fragrant. 

J.  midtiflorum — The  flowers,  which  are  pure  white,  are  borne  in 
clusters.  It  flowers  freely,  and  as  a  house  plant  it  is  un- 
equaled,  blooming  constantly  from  early  fall  until  summer. 
It  requires  plenty  of  light  and  will  thrive  in  considerable 
heat,  making  fine  specimens  and  producing  thousands  of 
flowers. 

J.  nudiflorum — Hardy,  blooming  very  early;  yellow  flowers. 

J.  officinale — Flowers  pure  white  and  quite  fragrant ;  it  grows 
from  four  to  six  feet  in  height.  The  common  white  Jasmine 
of  our  gardens. 

J.  Sambac — Very  double,  white;  very  fragrant;  hot-house  plants. 

J.  frutescens — A  hardy  shrub,  yellow  flowers,  slender  shoots; 
very  free  blooming. 

J.  Gracillimum  (New) — Exceedingly  floriferous;  a  flowering 
shoot  is  produced  from  every  joint,  which  terminates  in  a 
dense  cluster  of  pure  white  fragrant  flowers,  blooming  from 
October  to  February. 

J.  trifoliata — An  improved  variety  of  the  Grand  Duke  Jasmine 
style;  very  free  bloomer,  very  fragrant  and  double  white. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  245 

CAPE  JASMINE— Gardenia  Florida. 
Well  known  for  its  delicious  fragrance  and  the  beauty  of  its 
flowers,    which  are  white    and    double;  shajDed  like  miniature 
Camellias. 

JONQUIL.     (See  Narcissus.) 

JUSTICIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  90°). 

An  upright  growing  pot-plant  of  free  growth,  crowned  with 
terminal  spikes  of  flowers  nearly  the  whole  year.  The  plants  are 
easily  grown  in  any  soil,  but  should  be  well  drained  with  pot- 
sherds or  gravel,  and  there  should  be  abundant  pot  room;  propa- 
gated from  cuttings. 

J.  carnea — Produces  beautiful  spikes  of  a  rosy-pink  color. 
J.  hydrangoides — Large  flowers;  lilac  and  white. 
J.  sanguinea — Large  spikes  of  a  beautiful  dark  red. 

KENILWORTH  IVY.     (See  Linaria.) 

KLEINIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  45,  80°). 
A  genus  of  African  succulents,  with  fleshy  stems  and  thick 
candelabra-like  branches;  fine  for  ornamental  gardening.      They 
love  heat  and  dislike  dampness.      Pot  in  peaty  rough  loam  and 
sand;  propagate  from  cuttings. 

K.  articulata  or  Candle  Plant— A  dwarf,  glaucous,  bluish-green 
plant;  a  great  curiosity. 

LADY'S  EAR  DROP.     (See  Fuchsia.) 

LAGERSTRCEMIA  or  CRAPE  MYRTLE  (Greenhouse  Perennial, 

33,  45,  85°). 

Neat  woody  shrubs  bearing  elegant  flowers  during  Summer. 
They  need  the  protection  of  a  cool  greenhouse  or  even  cellar  dur- 
ing winter.     Use  sandy  loam  and  some  peat.     Propagated  from 
cuttings. 
L.  Indica — A  neat  little  tree  bearing  exquisitely  fringed  pink 

flowers.     Petals  curiously  curved. 
L.  Indica  Alba—Ssmie  as  above,  but  white  flowers. 

LANTANA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  90°). 

These  desirable  plants  are  annually  growing  in  favor,  both  for 
bedding  purposes  and  pot  culture.     They  are  of  robust  gro^^-th, 


146  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


and  profuse  blooming  habits,  with  flowers  of  good  colors,  which 
qualities,  together,  render  them  worthy  of  a  place  in  every  col- 
lection. The  flowers,  while  somewhat  resembling  those  of  the 
Verbena,  are  produced  on  shrub-like  plants,  and  present  the 
most  delicate  shades  of  orange,  sulphur,  creamy  white,  and 
other  colors  which  are  not  found  in  that  plant.  The  flowers  of 
the  Lautana  are  also  interesting  from  the  fact  of  their  changing 
from  one  distinct  color  to  another  on  the  same  plant,  as  they 
develop.  In  the  house  they  should  be  placed  in  a  light,  warm 
place;  are  particularly  useful  for  wirdow  culture,  as  they  will 
thrive  in  a  dryer  atmosphere  than  most  plants  will  stand.  By 
proper  pruning,  the  plants  may  be  grown  to  handsome  shapes. 
Propagate  easily  from  cuttings. 
L.  alba perfecta  -Pure  white;  very  fine. 
L.  Comtesse  de  Biencoui^t — Flowers  bright  rose  and  yellow;  center 

sulphur,  dwarf  and  bush}^ 
L.  La  Bluer  d'  Or — Small,  pure  yellow  flowers;  very  dwarf  and 

bushy;  very  abundant  bloomer. 
L.  Michael  Schmidt— Flowers  fresh  and  sparkling,  of  a  brilliant 

yellow,  passing  into  purple  vermilion. 
L.    Toison  d^Or — Very   free    flowering ;    deep    chrome    yellow. 

changing  to  purplish-red. 
L.  il^fine  d' Or —A  new  variety;  orange  and  crimson  flowers,  and 

golden  variegated  foliage. 
L.  Binocence— Dwarf;  light  sulphur,  changing  to  pure  white. 
L.  Le  Pa/ rio^e— Brilliant  yellow,  with  flery  center,  changing  to  a 

dark  scarlet;  very  beautiful. 
L.  Jacques  Minot— Orange,  changing  to  bright  orange-yellow  ; 

always  in  bloom. 
L.  Triomphe  de  Commerce — Bronzy-yellow;    red  center,    tinted 

with  lilac;  very  dwarf,  and  an  excellent  variety. 
L.  Giselle— Very  large  flowers;  rich  purple  rose,  and  light  yellow 

center. 
L.  Reveil    Pure  white,  golden-yellow  center;  very  large  trusses 

and  flowers. 
L.  Marechal  MacMahon — The  very  finest  Lantana  ever  raised; 

trusses  as  large  as  those  of  Verbenas;  flowers  bright  crim- 
son and  gold. 
L.  Golconda—fsaflron,  changing  to  soft  orange;  very  distinct. 
L.  Diademe — Rose  color,  sometimes  shaded  with  yellow  in  the 

center;  delicate  and  distinct. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  247 

jL.  Don  Calmet — Lilac,  orange  center. 

L.   Lalis — Small  white  flowers  ;   wonderfully  free  ;   of  strong 

growth. 
L.  Californie — Very  dwarf,   seldom  growing  more  than  six  or 

eight  inches  high;  flowers  dark  rich  yellow. 
L.  Janus — Deep  yellow,  passing  into  rose. 
L.  delicatissima — A  fine  old  variety;  lilac  white  eye;  one  of  the 

best. 

LAVENDULA  CRISTATA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  90°). 

A  neat,  compact,  pot  and  bedding  plant,  also  useful  in  baskets, 
vases,  etc.,  of  the  easiest  culture.  The  leaves  are  of  an  ashy 
green,  an  inch  long,  nearly  round, of  a  singularly  notched  appear- 
ance, seeming  to  have  been  shaped  in  a  mould.  Propagates 
from  cuttings. 

LARKSPUR.     (See  Delphinium.) 

LAURESTINUS  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  50,  90°). 

A  shrubby  perennial  for  pot  culture,  that  blooms  freely  only  in 
the  winter  and  spring.  The  flowers  are  pure  white,  produced  in 
large  flattened  panicles,  and  are  universally  esteemed.  The  foli- 
age is  deep  green,  smooth  and  of  pretty  form.  It  is  quite  hardy, 
and  in  the  South  will  stand  the  winters  with  slight  protection. 
The  plant  always  assumes  a  handsome  form,  and  is  seldom 
troubled  with  insects.  In  summer  the  pots  should  be  moved  to 
the  open  air.     Propagated  by  cuttings. 

LEMON.      (See  Orange  and  Lemon.) 

LEMON  VERBENA.     (See  Aloysia  Citriodora.) 

LEPTOSIPHON  (Hardy  Annual). 

A  charming  class  of  free-blooming  annuals  of  the  easiest  cul- 
ture from  seed.  They  are  of  bushy  growth  and  produce  an 
abundance  of  small  flowers  of  remarkably  distinct  colors.  Sow 
the  seed  where  they  are  to  bloom  early  in  the  spring,  or  it  may  be 
done  the  fall  previous. 

L.  Aureus -Is  less  than  six  inches  high  and  spreads  to  the  width 
of  one  foot.  Very  handsome  as  an  edging  plant,  being 
covered  with  a  profusion  of  exceedingly  pretty,  little  yel- 
low flowers  with  dark  centers,  which  give  them  a  singularly 
rich  appearance. 


248  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


L.  densiflorus  albus— One  foot  high,  pure  white;  very  useful  for 
loose  bouquets.  There  is  also  a  rosy  lilac  variety  similar  to 
this,  but  being  of  less  desirable  color  is  not  so  greatly 
esteemed. 

L.  hybridits — French  hybrids  of  pretty  appearance,  which 
embrace  yellow,  orange,  rose,  purple  and  other  colors. 

LIBONIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45  or  50,  85°). 

Neat  growing,  winter  blooming  plants,  well  adapted  for  the 
window  shelf  or  conservatory.  The  flowers,  which  are  about  an 
inch  in  length,  are  scarlet  orange  at  the  base,  running  into  deep 
yellow  at  the  top,  somewhat  similar  to  the  Cigar  flower,  but 
larger.  They  are  produced  freely  under  ordinary  circumstances, 
and  are  quite  certain  of  affording  pleasure  to  the  cultivator. 
The  plants  are  of  the  easiest  culture,  any  well  enriched  soil  suit- 
ing them.  A  frost  among  plants  of  sufficient  severity  to  injure 
many,  would  leave  this  unharmed.     Propagated  by  cuttings. 

L.  floribunda — Beautiful  yellow  and  orange-colored  bloom. 
L.  Pe7irhosiensis  -  -  A  d  warf  er  form,  and  lighter  colored  flowers. 

LILAC.     (See  Syringa.) 

LILIUM— Lily  {Hardy  Perennial  Bidh), 

The  Lilium  genus,  including  the  numerous  superb  species  from 
Japan,  are  eminently  valuable  garden  plants,  and  no  collection 
can  be  so  limited  but  that  some  of  the  choicer  varieties  at  least 
should  be  included.  They  possess  many  desirable  qualities,  be- 
ing, with  a  few  exceptions,  perfectly  hardy;  easy  of  culture  in 
any  dry  soil,  continuing  to  increase  in  strength  and  beauty  for 
many  years,  and,  above  all,  are  of  matchless  colors.  The  variety 
L.  longiflorum  affords  one  of  the  principal  exceptions  to  their 
being  entirely  hardy,  and  this  one  will  stand  the  w^inter  well, 
with  a  protection  of  strawy  manure  on  the  roots,  applied  late  in 
the  fall,  after  the  ground  is  frozen.  Such  a  covering  is  desirable 
for  all  the  varieties,  and  especially  newly  planted  ones.  Lilies 
may  be  planted  either  in  the  fall  months  or  early  in  the  spring. 
Avoid  applying  rank  manure  to  the  soil,  which  is  apt  to  cause  a 
diseased  condition  in  the  bulbs.  They  should  be  set  deep,  the  top 
of  the  bulbs  not  less  than  six  inches  below  the  surface.  This  is 
essential,  in  order  that  the  roots  which  support  the  flowering 
shoot,  and  which  being  above  the  bulb,  may  be  fully  protected 


THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


249 


Liliwn  Longiflorum. 

from  the  sun  in  summer.  They  should  be  allowed  to  remain  sev- 
eral years  without  resetting,  if  possible.  The  various  Lilies  can 
also  be  cultivated  to  a  great  degree  of  perfection  in  pots,  with 
ordinary  care. 

L.  atrosanguineum — Orange  red,  blotched  and  marbled. 
L.  auratum  (Golden  Banded  Japan  Lily) — This  Lily  is  of  re- 
markable size  and  magnificence,  usually  measuring  nearly 
a  foot  across.  It  is  delicately  fragrant,  and  is  composed  of 
six  petals  (so  called)  of  ivory  whiteness,  each  thickly  stud- 
ded with  crimson  spots,  and  having  a  golden  band  length- 
wise through  its  centre.  The  plant  will  succeed  in  any  dry 
deep  soil,  but  cannot  be  considered  quite  as  robust  as  most 
of  the  other  sorts,  yet  is  not  very  delicate. 
L.  tigrinuin  (Tiger  Lily) — A  well-known  strong  growing  variety, 
the  flowers  of  which  are  orange  spotted  with  black.  A  new 
variety  of  tins  desirable  old  sort  has  been  introduced,  hav- 
ing double  flowers. 


250  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

L.  candidum — Is  the  ordinary  fragrant  White  Lily,  frequently 
found  in  cultivation.  It  flowers  about  the  first  of  July  on 
stems  three  or  four  feet  high,  and  a  mass  of  the  plants  are 
always  beheld  with  admiration.  There  is  a  double  flower- 
ing variety  of  this  sort  which,  however,  w^ill  not  compare 
with  the  single  in  point  of  desirability. 

L.  lancifolium  album,  roseum  and  riibrum — Are  introductions 
from  Japan,  of  the  very  highest  merit  for  garden  culture. 
The  three  varieties  are  quite  similar  in  form,  tut  vary  in 
color — the  former  being  pure  white  of  great  purity  and 
beauty,  but  the  plant  is  a  little  delicate  in  character.  The 
two  latter  varieties  are  almost  alike  in  appearance,  the 
flowers  being  of  an  ivory  white  ground,  spotted  in  rose  and 
red,  and  quite  fragrant.  They  are  hardy  and  flower  in  Au- 
gust; strong  plants  producing  numerous  flowers  on  stalks 
three  feet  high. 

L.  longijiorum — Is  a  snowy  white,  trumpet-shaped  flow^er,  five 
inches  in  length.  Although  a  vigorous  variety,  it  should 
be  treated  as  being  not  quite  hardy.  This  variety  is  per- 
haps the  best  one  for  forcing  to  flower  in  the  winter  in  the 
window  or  conservatory.     (See  engraving.) 

L.  Washingtonianum — An  interesting  species  from  California  and 
Oregon.  It  produces  delicately  fragrant,  pendulous  flowers 
which  are  pure  w^hite  shaded  with  lilac. 

L.  tenuifolium — Although  not  a  new  variety,  this  dazzling  little 
gem  is  worthy  of  all  praise.  It  blooms  out  of  doors  about 
the  third  week  of  May,  and  its  graceful  wax-like  flowers  of 
a  lovely  vermilion  scarlet,  cannot  fail  to  impart  unalloyed 
pleasure  to  all  lovers  of  the  beautiful  in  nature.  It  is  easily 
grown  and  perfectly  hardy. 

L.  Harrisii — The  great  value  of  this  Lily  consists  in  its  earliness 
and  free-blooming  qualities,  and  the  superiority  of  the  indi- 
vidual flow-er.  The  flowers  are  larger  than  those  of  L. 
longiflorum,  and  the  curled  points  of  the  petals  give  it  ad- 
ditional beauty;  color  pure  white  and  very  fragrant.  This 
new  Lily  has  the  valuable  peculiarity  of  flowering  from 
two  to  four  times  in  succession  without  rest;  a  single  plant 
frequently  has  as  many  as  30  flowers  on  it  at  one  time; 
plants  have  been  exhibited  with  over  one  hundred  blooms; 
its  height  is  only  12  to  20  inches. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


251 


LILY  OF  THE  VALLEY— Conyallaria  Majalus  {Hardy  Per- 
ennial). 

For  a  combination  of  such 
charming  qualities  as  elegance, 
purity,  grace  and  fragrance  in 
a  small  compass,  this  little 
flower  is  without  a  true  rival 
in  the  garden,  and  it  has  been 
esteemed  as  a  f  a^orite  for  ages. 
The  flowers  are  pure  white, 
bell  shaped,  and  less  than  one- 
third  of  an  inch  across.  They 
droop  gracefully,  each  on  its 
own  curved  stalklet,  from  the 
side  of  an  upright  stem  six, 
and  upwards,  inches  long,  sup- 
porting a  dozen  or  more  of  the 
flowers.  The  leaves,  which 
spring  from  the  root,  are,  in 
themselves  most  elegant,  being 
large  and  smooth,  of  a  luxuri- 
ant green,  and  furnish  an  ad- 
mirable accompaniment  to  the 
flowers  in  choice  floral  ar- 
rangements. Flowers  may  be 
had  easily  in  the  winter  in  the 
window  and  conservatory,  by 
taking  up  and  potting  clumps 
of  the  roots  in  the  fall,  and  af- 
ter subjecting  them  to  several 
severe  freezes,  bringing  them 
into  a  heat  of  forty- five  or  fift}' 
degrees,  in  the  night-time,  and 
giving  them  an  abundance  of 
water.  In  our  large  cities  much 
Lily  of  the  Valley.  attention  is  paid  to  forcing  this 

plant  in  this  way,  as  the  flowers  are  eagerly  sought,  at  remun- 
erative prices  by  lovers  of  choice  flowers  during  all  tlie  winter 
months.  The  plants  are  perfectly  hardy  and  succeed  well  in 
a  shady  place,  in  any  garden  soil,  flowering  in  May  and  June. 


252  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


They  increase  rapidly  by  their  slender  roots,  which  spread  to  a 
considerable  distance.  Altogetlier  may  be  considered  one  of  the 
most  desirable  plants  in  cultivation. 

LINARIA  {Hardy  Perennial). 

Herbaceous  plants,  of  which  the  well-known  yellow  Toad-flax 
is  a  type.  The  following  species  is  a  neat  little  vine  wdth  numer- 
ous small  w^hite  and  lilac  flowers.  Easily  grown  in  light  soil  from 
seed. 

L.  cymbalaria  (Kenilworth  Ivy)— Suitable  for  baskets,  etc. 
L.  cymbalaria  variegata — Same  as  preceding,  but  has  beautifully 
variegated  foliage  of  white  green  and  pink. 

LINUM  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  85°). 

Where  yellow  flowers  are  desired  in  the  winter  there   is  no 
plant  that  will  give  more  satisfaction  than  this  one;  it  is  of  easy 
culture  and  a  constant  bloomer,  being  at  times  literally  covered 
with  bright  yellow. 
L.  flavum — Bears  large  yellow  flowers  which  are  two  inches  in 

diameter  on  a  bush  about  one  foot  in  height,  of  very  neat 

habit.     Propagates  from  cuttings. 

LIVE  FOR  EVER.     (See  Sedum.) 
LOBELIA  {Greenhouse  and  Hardy  Perennials,  33,  45  80°). 

The  Lobelias  are  universally  admired,  and  the  drooping  varie- 
ties are  used  to  an  extent,  probably,  second  to  no  other  plant  in 
cultivation,  for  planting  in  hanging  baskets  and  similar  decora- 
tive arrangements.  Their  graceful,  drooping  and  free  blooming 
habit  renders  them  especially  valuable  for  such  purposes,  as 
under  favorable  circumstances,  the  flowers  are  produced  by  hun- 
dreds for  a  long  time.  They  are  equally  desirable  as  pot  plants, 
forming  a  dense  mass  of  drooping  foliage  and  flowers  over  the 
edge  of  the  pot,  in  a  most  pleasing  manner.  The  Lobelias  are 
among  our  most  suitable  plants  for  window  culture,  as  they 
flower  quite  constantly  and  do  about  as  well  in  shady  places,  as 
in  the  full  sun,  while  their  delight  in  an  abundance  of  moisture  in 
the  soil,  is  here  easily  afforded  them.  When  bedded  out  in  a 
partially  shaded  place  they  flower  during  the  entire  season,  so 
profusely,  as  to  render  them  very  useful,  for  ribboning  or  mass- 
ing in  certain  places  and  where  low  growing  plants  are  desired. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  253 

This  is  especially  true  in  a  wet  season,  or  if  the  soil  is  frequently 

watered.     The  plants  propagate  from  cuttings  and  seeds. 

L.  cardinalis  (Cardinal  Flower)— A  splendid,  hardy  native  plant, 

of  excellent  upright  habit ;  producing  spikes  of  brilliant 

scarlet  flowers,  of  a  dazzling  hue  ;  excellent  either  for  pot 

culture  or  for  bedding. 
L.   eriims  grandis—ljarge    blue  ;  in  every  way  excellent  as  a 

drooper  for  hanging  baskets,  vases,  etc.,  or  for  pot  culture. 
L.  eriniis  Paxtonia— Similar  to  the  preceding,  but  is  blue,  with 

a  white  eye. 
L.  Miss  Murphy — a  neat  dwarf  grower  ;  very  beautiful,  either  as 

a  pot  plant  or  for  planting  in  beds  and  borders.     It  grows 

to  a  dense  globular  tuft,  six  inches  in  diameter,  and  can  be 

trimmed  to  any  desired  shape. 
L.  alba  maxima — Snowy  white  flowers  of  drooping  spreading 

habit. 

LONICERA.     (See  Honeysuckle.) 

LOPEZIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  80°). 

This  is  a  genus  of  very  handsome  plants  from  Mexico,  valu- 
able from  the  fact  that  they  bloom  in  winter,  at  which  time  they 
are  completely  covered  with  small,  bright  flowers.     Propagated 
by  cuttings  or  from  seed. 
L.  rosea — A  most  profuse  and  persistent  winter-blooming  plant; 

flowers  fine  rose  color. 
L.  alba — Same  as  preceding  but  bearing  white  flowers. 

LOPHOSPERMUM  SCANDENS  (Greenhouse  Perennial, 

35,  50,  85°). 

A  vine  of  rapid  growth  and  beautiful  dark  green  foliage,  excel- 
lent for  covering  fences  or  outhouses  in  summer  ;  attains  a  height 
of  twenty  feet.  It  is  also  valuable  for  pot  culture,  and  bears  a 
profusion  of  large  rosy  purple  flowers,  somewhat  in  the  shape  of 
Gloxinias.     Propagates  from  cuttings. 

LOTUS  JACOBEUS  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  34,  45,  85°). 

This  is  a  great  curiosity  on  account  of  the  dark  color  of  the 
flowers,  which  are,  perhaps,  nearer  black  than  any  other  flower, 
and  are  produced  on  a  graceful  plant,  having  small  foliage. 
They  are  increased  from  seed. 


254  THE  HOME  FLORIST. 


LUPINUS— Lupine  {Hardy  Annual). 

A  genus  of  annuals  for  the  garden  that  are  rather  showy,  and 
which  flower  until  after  hard  frosts  ;  in  fact  the  beds  will  fre- 
quently appear  at  their  best  late  in  October  and  November,  after 
most  of  the  summer  flowers  are  past  their  usefulness.  Blue, 
white  and  purple  are  the  principal  colors,  being  distinct  in  some 
varieties  and  intermixed  with  yellow  in  others.  The  seed  should 
be  sown  early  where  they  are  to  bloom. 

LYCHNIS  {Hardy  Perennial). 

A  useful  class  of  hardy  garden  and  pot  plants,  of  easy  culture 
and  free  bloomers,  which  are  throughout,  exceedingly  showy  of 
flowers.  Some  of  the  varieties  are  easily  grown  from  seed,  flow- 
ering the  first  season  if  sown  early  ;  others  propagate  by  division 
of  the  roots  and  still  others  with  difficulty  from  cuttings.  They 
delight  in  a  rich  soil. 

L.  Chalcedonica—ls  a  tall  kind,  growing  two  feet  in  height, 
which  produces  in  the  variety  that  is  mostly  cultivated, 
heads  of  intense  light  scarlet  flowers,  and  in  others  white 
and  flesh-colored  flowers  respectively.  The  plants  of  this 
genus  may  bo  propagated  from  seed  or  by  dividing  the 
roots  early  in  the  spring  of  alternate  years  ;  succeeds  best 
if  i^rotected  during  the  winter. 

L.  fimhriata — Has  double  pink  flowers  on  stalks  a  foot  high  ; 
very  showy  and  desirable  and  perfectly  hardy. 

L.  flos  ciicidi  flore  alba  pleno  (Double  White  Lychnis)— Is  a 
valuable  summer  bloomer  in  flower  from  the  middle  of 
June  until  October ;  flowers  pure  white,  somewhat  re- 
sembling a  Carnation  ;  very  highly  esteemed  by  cultiva- 
tors. Should  be  protected  by  a  covering  of  straw  or  leaves 
at  the  opening  of  winter. 

L.  flos  cucidi  pleno  (Ragged  Robbin) — Is  a  well-known  hardy 
plant,  flowering  in  May,  with  flowers  that  are  crimson  and 
double. 

L.  fulgens — Is  a  hardy  species  with  scarlet  flowers  and  which 
grows  one  and  one-half  feet  high. 

L.  Haageana — Is  of  dwarfish  growth  about  one  foot  high,  and  is 
readily  raised  from  seed.  The  fl-owers  are  large,  single  and 
embrace  white,  rose,  red  and  vermilion-colored  varieties. 

LYCOPODIUM.     (See  Selaginella). 


THE  HOME  FLORIST.  255 


LYSIMACHIA  {Hardy  Perennial). 

'     Herbaceous  perennial  plants,  which,  although  hardy,  are  well 
fitted  for  pot  culture.      They  are  very  readily  grown  in  good 
turfy  loam  with  a  little  manure  and  sand;  propagated  from  seed 
or  from  cuttings. 
Li.  clethroicles — From  Japan,  with  pure  white  flowers  in  curving 

spikes. 
L.  nummularia  (Moneywort)  —  For  baskets  or  vases  ;  flowers  of 

golden  yellow. 

LYTHRUM  SALIC  ARIA  {Hardy  Herbaceous  Perennial). 

A  hardy  garden  plant,  growing  to  the  height  of  three  feet,  and 
producing  long  attractive  spikes  of  rosy-red  flowers  in  the  sum- 
mer; propagates  by  dividing  the  roots. 

MADEIRA  VINE.      (See  Boussingaultia.) 

MAHERNIA  ODORATA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  85°). 

A  profuse  winter-blooming  plant,  with  golden  yellow  flowers 
that  emit  a  strong  honeyed  fragrance.  The  plant  itself  is  quite 
an  ornament  with  its  fine  cut  foliage;  propagated  by  cuttings. 

MANETTIA  CORDATA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  45,  85°). 

Is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  summer-climbing  plants,  especially 
for  pot  culture  and  in  training  on  trellis,  bearing  crimson  scarlet 
flowers  in  great  profusion  the  entire  season ;  can  be  dried  off  in 
the  winter;  propagates  from  the  root. 

MARANTA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  3C,  55  to  60,  90"). 

Among  the  most  elegant  greenhouse  plants  known  to  florists. 

being  a  valuable  class  of  plants  for  Wardian  cases  and  ferneries, 

requiring  a  warm,  moist  atmosphere;  propagates  by  division. 

M.  Baraquinii — Silvery  gray;  centre  and  margin  light  green. 

31.  bicoZor— Pale  green  leaves,  dark  spots,  purple  underneath. 

M.  eximia—Bwarf;  upper  surface  striped  with  grayish  white; 
under,  purplish  violet. 

M.  faciafa— Bright  green-,  broad  bands  from  mid-rib  to  margin; 
purplish  beneath. 

If.  leopardina—Fa\e  green,  with  oblong  blotches  of  deep  green. 

M.  Majestica—Bark,  glossy  green,  pinkish  lines  above,  purple  be- 
neath. 


256  THE   HOME  FLORIST. 


M.  Makoyana — An  elegant  dwarf,  markings  deep  bottle  green; 
underneath,  bright  wine  red. 

M.  Massangeana — Outer  portions  olive  green;    middle,  delicate 
silvery  gray. 

M.  mikans — Shining  green,  with  a  white  feathery  stripe. 

M.  pardina — Pale  green;  brown  blotches  each  side  of  the  mid- 
rib, 

M.  Porteana — Long  bright  leaves,  white  stripes,  underside  purple. 

M.  pulchella—Yery  much  like  the   old   Zebrina,  although  more 
dwarf. 

M.   Van  den  Heckii — Dark  glossy  leaves;  mid-rib  silvery-white. 

M.  zebrina  — LesLves  striped  above  and  i)urple  beneath. 
MARIGOLD— Tagetes  {Half  Hardy  Annual). 

Well-known  free-fioAvering  annuals,  with  single  and  double, 
also  quilled  flowers,  of  sulphur,  orange,  brown  and  striped  colors. 
They  are  raised  with  the  greatest  ease  from  seed  sown  either  in 
heat  or  where  they  are  to  flower.  Although  there  are  some  very 
rich  and  showy  varieties,  which  are  attractive  wherever  em- 
ployed, yet  the  plants  will  never  be  ranked  among  the  highest  in 
value  by  cultivators,  on  account  of  their  rather  distasteful  fra- 
grance, but  still  they  are  too  beautiful  to  be  entirely  ignored  for 
such  a  reason. 

Tagetes  Signata  Pumilia— A  splendid  half-hardy  annual, 
forming  a  dense  globular  mass  from  one  foot  to  a  foot  and  a 
half  in  diameter,  and  producing  hundreds  of  bright  yellow  and 
orange  flowers  on  the  surface  of  the  plant.  It  is  a  handsome 
plant  for  the  garden,  and  as  easily  grown  from  seed  as  are  the 
common  Marigolds. 

MAURANDYA  BARCLAY  ANA  (Greenhouse  Perennial, 

38,  45,  85^). 

Flowers  similar  to  the  Snap-dragon,  but  borne  on  vigorous, 
slender  vines.  A  popular  summer  climber  of  the  easiest  cultiva- 
tion, needing  only  good  loam  and  a  proper  support.  They  also 
make  splendid  climbers  for  in-door  decoration;  the  colors  are  vio- 
let, pink,  purple  and  white;  they  are  easily  grown  from  seed  or 
from  cuttings. 

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM   Including    Ice    and    Dew    Plants 
{Greenliouse  Perennial,  o3,  45  to  60,  90"). 

A  genus  for  the  most  part  natives  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 
There  are  many  varieties,  but    the    several    here    noticed    are 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  257 


the  most  valuable  for  ordinaiy  cultivation,  and  these  are  highly 
prized  wherever  introduced.  The  sorts  named  are  of  trail- 
ing habit,  and  being  free  growers  they  prove  to  be  very  desirable 
for  planting  in  baskets,  vases,  etc.  They  are  also  excellent  for 
pot  culture  in  the  window  or  conservatory,  and  very  handsome 
if  bedded,  continuing  in  flower  during  most  of  the  season,  and 
growing  with  great  freedom  in  rich  ground. 

M.  chrystallinium  (Ice  Plant) — This  species  is  noted  for  the  pecu- 
liar cold,  icy  appearance  the  foliage  presents,  the  stems  and 
leaves  throughout  having  a  frost-like  coating,  which  ren- 
ders the  plant  very  attractive;  grown  from  seed,  and  should 
be  treated  as  a  tender  annual. 

M.  cordifolium  (Dew  Plant) — Another  species  possessing  the  re- 
markable features  of  the  Ice  Plant  to  a  slight  extent,  but, 
aside  of  this,  is  a  stronger  and  handsomer  grower,  with 
rich-looking  foliage,  and  is  covered  with  a  profusion  of  at- 
tractive small,  rosy-pink  blossoms  almost  constantly.  This 
is  one  of  the  handsomest  drooping  plants  in  cultivation  for 
hanging  baskets,  vases,  etc.,  and  also  as  a  trailing  bedding 
plant;  propagates  from  cuttings  or  seed. 

M.  cordlfolhun  variegatum — Similar  to  the  preceding,  but  in  ad- 
dition, the  foliage  is  variegated  in  creamy  white  and  green, 
which  renders  it  exceedingly  pretty  for  any  use  to  which 
it  is  suited. 

M.  grandiflorum — A  variety  with  round-pointed  foliage,  produc- 
ing large  pink  flowers  several  inches  in  diameter,  more  or 
less  continually  from  early  spring  throughout  the  season. 

MEYENIA  (Greenhouse  Shrub,  40,  60,  95°). 
This  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  greenhouse  shrubs.  The  leaves 
are  dark  green,  habit  of  plant  robust  and  graceful.  It  is  in  bloom 
all  through  the  early  spring  and  summer,  at  which  time  it  is  com- 
pletely covered  with  its  beautiful  gloxinia-shaped  flowers;  propa- 
gates from  cuttings. 
M.  erecta — Flowers  dark  blue,  getting  lighter  towards  the  centre, 

with  a  yellow  throat. 
M.  erecta  alba — Same  as  preceding,  but  white  flowers. 

MIGNONETTE— Reseda  (Hardy  Annual). 

A  deliciously  fragrant  flower,   too  well-known  to  require  any 
special  description.     It  is  easily  grown  from  seed,  which   may  be 


258  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

sown  very  early  in  the  spring  where  the  plants  are  to  flower,  and 
then  several  times  later  for  a  succession.  The  seeds  may  also  be 
sown  late  in  the  fall.  Every  garden  should  have  a  bed  for  cut- 
ting from.  Some  pots  may  be  started  in  the  summer  for  winter 
flowering  in  the  window  or  conservatory.  The  plants  do  not 
transf)lant  well. 

MIMOSA  SENSITIV A— Sensitive  Plant  (Tender  Annual). 

A  remarkable  annual  cultivated  for  the  curious  peculiarity  of 
its  delicate  pinnate  leaves,  which  suddenly  close  and  droop  if 
touched  or  shaken.  They  open  and  regain  their  upright  position 
in  the  course  of  an  hour  or  two,  without  the  leastinjmy  to  them- 
selves or  the  plant  for  the  surprising  transition  through  wdiich 
they  have  passed.  The  plant  is  only  suitable  for  pot  culture,  and 
may  easily  be  reared  from  seed  by  sowing  in  a  warm  window  or 
hot  bed. 

MIMULUS— Monkey  Flower  (Half  Hardy  Perennials). 

Herbaceous  plants  with  show^y  flowers.  The  following  varie- 
ties make  interesting  greenhouse  plants  and  require  plenty  of 
fresh  air  and  not  too  much  heat  or  moisture.  Grow  in  light  soil 
with  a  little  manure  and  sand.  They  are  easily  raised  from  seed, 
cuttings,  or  by  division. 

M.  moschatus  (Musk  Plant) — A  dwarf  plant,  with  musk  odor. 
M.  moschatus  tigrinus — Flower  golden-yellow,  with  brown  spots. 
Musk  odor. 

MIRABILIS  JALAPA.— Four  O'Clock  Flower.     (Half  hardy 

Annual.) 

A  very  ornamental  plant  of  good  habit  with  glossy  bright  foli- 
age and  fragrant  flowers,  which  mostly  open  in  the  afternoon, 
hence  its  appropriate  common  name.  The  plant  grows  to 
several  feet  in  height,  and  blooms  profusely  after  mid-summer. 
The  flowers  include  various  colors,  such  as  different  shades  of 
red,  red  striped  with  white,  red  and  yellow,  yellow,  lilac  striped 
with  white,  violet  and  white,  and  sport  into  many  attractive 
variegations.  May  be  raised  from  seed  planted  in  the  Spring 
where  the  plants  are  desired,  or  the  roots  may  be  taken  up  in  the 
fall  and  preserved  like  Dahlias  during  winter.  The  plants  should 
stand  from  one  to  t\\  o  feet  apart. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  259 


M.  Jalapa  folis  variegata — A  variety  of  the  above,  the  leaves  of 
which  are  faintly  variegated  or  raarbled  ;  several  different 
colors  of  flowers. 

M.  longiflora  alba  and  violacea — With  long,  sweet  scented  flow- 
ers, in  the  former,  pure  white  with  purple  below,  and  in 
the  latter  violet. 

MONKEY  FLOWER.     (See  Mimulus.) 

MONTBRETIA  CR0C0SML3EFL0RA  {Te7ider  Bulb). 

The  flowers  of  this  plant,  relatively  speaking,  are  of  large 
size  of  an  intense  orange  shade,  beautifully  formed,  and 
something  in  their  arrangement  on  the  stem  is  suggestive  of  the 
Orchid  family.  A  single  plant  bears  several  spikes  of  flowers, 
each  spike  having  from  ten  to  twelve  florets  ;  it  retains  its  bloom 
for  a  long  time.  The  florets  are  very  brilliant  in  fine  cut  flower 
work.  The  foliage  is  somewhat  similar  to  the  Gladiolus,  but 
radiates  like  the  spars  of  a  fan,  the  flower  spikes  also  radiating 
with  the  foliage.  A  plant  of  the  first  order,  it  flourishes  in  the 
open  ground,  and  is  also  extremely  ornamental  as  a  pot  plant. 
It  grows  to  a  height  of  between  two  and  three  feet,  and  is  fully 
three  feet  across  the  foliage.     It  is  propagated  by  offsets. 

MORNING  GLORY.     (See  Convolvulus.) 

MUSA  OR  BANANA  ^Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  55,  to 60,  90°.) 

These  make  very  ornamental  and  showy  plants,  always  attract- 
ing notice  either  from  their  enormous  size  or  beautifully  varie- 
gated foliage.     Some  of  the  sorts  bear  the  Banana  of  commerce. 
During  the  hot  summer  when  planted  out  they  grow  rapidly  and 
luxuriantly,  producing  a  tropical  effect  on  the  lawn,  terrace  or 
flower  garden.     They  can  be  stored  in  a  light  cellar  or  cool  green- 
house during  the  winter  with  a  covering  of  soil,  or  planted  in  a 
tub,  watered  sparingly.     They  are  increased  from  suckers. 
M.  CavendisMi— Is  a  dwarf   species,  very  ornamental ;  bearing 
edible  fruit.     This  is  the  variety  commonly  grown  in  green- 
houses ;  if  kept  at  a  high  enough  temperature  fruit  much 
superior  to  that  found  in  our  markets  will  be  produced. 
31.  Ensete— The  noblest  of  all  plants  is  this   great  Abyssinian 
banana.     The  fruit  of  this  variety  is  not  edible,  but  the 
leaves  are  magnificent ;    long,   broad  and   massive,    of  a 
beautiful  green,  wdth  a  broad  crimson  mid-rib. 


26o  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

M.  zebrina — The  stem  of  this  Banana  is  slender  and  the  leaves  a 
fine  dark  green,  striped  and  blotched  with  bronze,  red,  pur- 
ple and  chocolate  ;  very  effective. 

MUSK  PLANT.     (See  Mimulus  Moschatus.) 

MYOSOTIS— Forget-me-not  {Half  Hardy  Perennial). 

An  old  and  well-known  genus  of  garden  plants,  growing  about 
six  inches  high,  which  survive  our  winters  with  protection.  They 
bear  in  different  varieties  blue,  yellow  and  white  star-like  flow- 
ers with  bright  centers.  The  flowers  are  small,  but  highly 
esteemed  for  their  distinctness  and  perfection  of  form.  They  ap- 
pear in  little  clusters  during  the  greater  portion  of  the  season,  if 
the  plants  are  grown  in  moist  soil  in  a  somewhat  shaded  situa- 
tion— a  condition  also  most  favorable  to  their  growth.  Easily 
raised  from  seed  sown  in  the  early  spring  or  in  August. 

MYRSYPHYLLUM     ASPARAGOIDES— Smilax     {Greenhouse 
Perennial,  33,  45  to  55,  90°.) 

One  of  the  finest  tender  climbing  plants  in  existence,  and  with 
care  suitable  for  pot  culture  in  the  window.  The  plant  is  esteemed 
for  the  exceeding  grace  and  delicacy  of  the  vine  and  its  beautiful 
glossy  green  foliage.  Smilax  has  become  conspicuous  among 
plants  cultivated  by  florists  for  foliage  alone,  and  large  beds  are 
now  devoted,  summer  and  winter,  to  cultivating  a  supply.  Each 
plant  is  provided  with  a  twine  for  support,  which  extends  from 
the  earth  to  the  roof  of  the  greenhouse,  and  upon  this  the 
shoots  twine.  After  the  top  has  been  reached,  the  entire 
length  is  cut  away  for  use,  and  another  twine  is  fixed,  which 
in  turn  answers  for  a  support  for  the  new  shoots  that  quickly 
start  again  from  the  root.  The  stems  of  foliage  are  usually 
sold  by  the  yard,  and  are  greatly  in  demand  for  festooning, 
and  also  for  cutting  into  short  lengths  to  intermix  with  cut  flowers. 
For  window  cultivation  the  plants  should  be  trained  to  strings  or 
trellis,  and  be  kept  near  the  glass.  Smilax  is  closely  allied  to  the 
common  garden  Asparagus,  and  like  that  j)lant  will  bear  frequent 
cutting  back  to  the  roots.  After  a  large  growth  has  been  obtained, 
the  plant  should  be  nearly  all  cut  away  as  soon  as  the  leaves  are 
inclined  to  turn  yellow  ;  the  root  should  then  be  given  a  rest  for 
a  month  or  two  by  withholding  water  almost  "v\diolly,  after  which 
it  may  be  started  into  a  new  growth.  Bears  very  fragrant  little 
white  flowers.     Will  thrive  in  any  soil ;  is  propagated  from  seed. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


261 


Myrsiphyllum  Asparagoides,  or  Smila-r, 


262  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


MYRTUS  COMMUNIS— Myrtle  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  32,   45 

to  50,  90^-). 

This,  the  true  Myrtle,  is  a  pretty  pot  plant  of  erect  shrubby 
habit,  which  has  been  grown  and  highly  esteemed  for  ages  very 
remote.  At  the  present  day  it  is  valued  by  florists  for  its  twigs  of 
small  dark,  smooth  foliage,  which  are  a  useful  green  in  making 
wedding  and  funeral  bouquets  and  designs  of  white  flowers. 
Besides  being  slightly  fragrant  the  plant  bears  small  white 
flowers  quite  freely.  Of  the  easist  culture  in  the  window  or 
conservatory, 

NARCISSUS  {Hardy  Bulb). 

An  early  spring  flowering  bulbous  family,  which  embraces 
numerous  forms  and  colors  of  flowers,  including  the  well  known 
Daffodil  and  Jonquil.  The  flowers  appear  very  early,  are 
highly  ornamental  and  fragrant.  Nearly  all  are  hardy,  and  should 
be  planted  in  the  autumn  like  the  Hyacinth,  etc.,  but  should 
remain  in  the  ground  for  several  years  until  they  have  formed 
large  clumps,  wiien  they  may  be  divided  and  reset.  All  the  kinds 
are  desirable,  and  some  are  unequaled  for  pot  culture  in  the  win- 
ter in  the  window  and  conservatory  (see  "Culture  of  Hardy  Bulbs 
for  Winter  Decoration,"  page  52). 

Double  Narcissus  {Daffodil,  etc.),  include  besides  the  double 
yellow  Daffodil,  varieties  of  white  {Alha  pleno  odorata)  very 
handsome),  light  yellow,  orange  and  other  colors,  all  of  which  are 
double,  and  some  deliciously  fragrant.  Hardy  and  desirable  in 
every  garden,  also  useful  for  forcing. 

Single  Narcissus  are  hardy  and  of  great  beauty,  including  N. 
Poeticus  (Poet's  Narcissus),  a  snowy  white  variety,  in  which  the 
projecting  cup  from  the  centre  is  of  cream  color,  delicately  fringed 
with  reddish  purple. 
N.  bidbocodium  (Hoop-Petticoat  Narcissus),  having  the   cup  two 

inches  long  and  broad  at  the  brim. 
iV;  Odorus  (known  as  Great  Jonquil),  a  large  yellow  variety  with 
powerful  fragrance  ;  and  other  desirable  varieties. 

Polyanthus  Narcissus,  an  exceedingly  handsome  division,  but 
not  sufficiently  hardy  in  the  North  to  be  reliable  in  the  open 
ground.  They  will  sometimes  succeed  if  planted  deep  in  light, 
dry  soil,  and  heavily  protected  at  the  approach  of  winter.  It  is 
in  pot  culture  in  winter,   however,   either  in  the  window  or 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  263 

conservatory,  that  this  species  can  be  employed  with  the  greatest 
advantage  by  cultivators,  and  for  this  purpose  nothing  can  be 
more  satisfactory.  There  are  numerous  varieties,  which  show 
many  colors  and  shades,  from  purest  white  to  orange  red.  The 
flowers  appear  in  clusters,  numbering  from  six  to  upwards  of  a 
dozen  in  each  The  white  flowers  of  this  division  have  yellow 
cup§,  and  the  yellow,  orange  cups.  There  is  also  a  double  variety 
which  is  very  fragrant. 

Narcissus  Jonquilla  {Jonquil). — The  Jonquils  are  well  known 
hardy  bulbs,  producing  both  double  and  sweet  scented  flowers 
which  are  very  attractive.  Plant  in  autumn  six  inches  apart  and 
cover  three  inches  deep.  They  do  not  flower  so  well  the  first  year 
as  the  second  and  third,  therefore  the  bulbs  should  not  be  lifted 
oftener  than  every  third  year. 

NASTURTIUM.     (See  Tropseolum.) 

NEMOPHILA  {Hardy  Annual). 

A  genus  of  low  growing  annuals  which  afford  in  the  differ- 
ent varieties  many  smgularly  colored  flowers,  such  as  white 
with  black  spots,  white  and  purple,  white  blotched  with  violet, 
white  with  chocolate  centre,  black  edged  with  white,  rich  maroon 
margined  white,  bright  blue  with  white  centre,  blue  blotched  with 
black,  and  so  forth.  While  interesting,  these  plants  can  scarcely 
be  styled  showy,  although  when  at  their  best,  they  are  very  at- 
tractive. A  cool  partially  shaded  situation  suits  them  the  best. 
The  seeds  should  be  sown  in  frames  early  in  the  spring  or  late  in 
the  fall  previous,  in  order  to  secure  strong  plants  by  hot  weather, 
as  young  plants  that  come  on  late,  never  do  so  well.  Transplant 
to  five  or  six  inches  apart. 

NIEREMBERGIA  GRANDIFLORA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33, 

45,  90°). 

A  valuable  plant,  either  for  the  flow^er  garden,  or  for  planting 
in  baskets,  pots,  vases,  window  boxes,  etc.  The  leaves  are  small 
and  pointed,  flowers  pale  bluish  white,  one  inch  and  a  half  in 
diameter  and  salver  shaped.  They  are  borne  in  great  abundance 
all  during  the  summer,  and  by  fall  fifty  flowers  can,  almost  at 
any  time,  be  counted  on  each  plant  that  is  growing  in  the  garden. 
They  may  be  lifted  in  October  without  wilting,  and  Avill  be  showy 
for  a  long  time  in  the  window  or  conservatory.  Any  soil  will 
suit  them.    Propagate  from  cuttings  with  some  difficulty. 


264 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


NIGELLA— Love  in  a  Mist.    {Hardy  Annual). 

This  singular  plant  is  known  as  Lady-in-the-Green  and  Devil-in- 
a-bush,  because  the  blossoms  are  partly  concealed  by  the  abund- 
ance of  finely  cut  foliage.  The  plant  and  flower  are  both  hand- 
some, require  but  little  care,  and  are  worthy  a  place  in  the  flower 
garden.     Sow  the  seed  in  Spring,  and  thin  to  one  foot  apart. 

NIGHT  BLOOMING  CEREUS.     (See  Cereus.) 

NIGHT  BLOOMING  JASMINE.     (See  Cestrum.) 


Water  Lily. 

NYMPH^A  ODORATA— Water  Lily  {Half  Hardy  Roots). 

This  plant  is  the  Mell-known  double  white  Water  Lily  or  Pond 
Lily.  The  cultivation  of  this  species  affords  much  j)leasure  and 
gratification  to  the  amateur,  as  it  is  attended  wnth  so  little  diffi- 
culty. The  roots  should  be  obtained  in  the  early  spring  and  j^laced 
in  a  tub  or  cask  from  eighteen  inches  to  two  feet  in  depth;  put  in 
six  inches  of  rich  loam,  barely  covering  the  tubers,  and  fill  the 
cask  with  water,  replenishing  it,  as  it  loses  by  evaporation.  They 
can  be  cared  for  in  winter  by  emi)tying  nearly  all  the  water  out 
and  keeping  in  a  cool  cellar,  or  if  protected  from  hard  freezing, 
can  remain  on  the  lawn.  This  is  all  the  care  required  to  produce 
their  large  white  deliciously-fragrant  flowers;  increases  rapidly 
from  the  roots.  There  is  also  a  yellow  Water  Lily  common  in 
ponds  and  stagnant  water  in  most  of  the  Northern  States  which 
can  be  cultivated  in  the  same  way. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  265 

OLE  A  FRAGANS— Sweet   Olive.    {Greenliouse  Perennial,   34, 

50,  90'^) 

This  is  a  favorite  greenhouse  j)lant  with  deep  green  foliage 
feimilar  to  a  camellia,  and  hears  small  clusters  of  delicate  white 
tlowers  in  great  profusion  during  the  fall  and  winter.  Highly 
odoriferous  both  in  the  foliage  and  flowers  ;  the  perfume  of  a 
single  plant  is  sufficient  to  fill  a  conservatory  ;  propagated  by 
cuttings. 

OLEANDER— Neeium.    {Greenhouse  Perennial,  30,  45,  85°.) 

A  well  known  genus  of  erect-growing,  evergreen  shrubs,  with 
narrow  elongated  leathery  leaA^es.  The  plants  are  well  adapted 
for  culture  in  pots  and  boxes,  to  be  used  in  adorning  the  lawn,  or 
plant  collection  in  summer,  as  they  are  easily  managed  to  produce 
an  abundance  of  bloom.  Naturally  delighting  in  a  moist  soil, 
they  should  at  all  times  during  their  flowering  season  be  well  sup- 
plied with  water.  After  they  are  done  blooming,  keep  rather 
dry  at  the  roots  until  spring,  storing  them  during  winter  in  any 
cool  dry  place,  a  light  cellar  answering  very  well.  Early  winter 
is  the  most  suitable  time  for  pruning  the  plants,  which  operation 
may  be  done  quite  severely  to  their  benefit.  The  young  shoots 
can  be  cut  back  to  within  two  buds  of  the  old  wood.  In  March 
they  should  be  shifted  into  larger  pots  or  boxes  and  a  new  growth 
encouraged  by  an  increase  of  water.  Decayed  turfy  loam,  with 
one-fourth  part  old  rotten  manure,  forms  an  excellent  compost 
for  them.  As  the  plants  advance  in  growth,  a  weekly  watering 
of  liquid  manure,  not  very  strong,  will  heighten  the  size  and 
beauty  of  the  flowers  ;  during  then-  apx^roaching  season  of  bloom 
keep  a  sharp  look-out  for  scale  insects  on  the  leaves  and  bark 
and  remove  any  such  by  wasliing.  Scrubbing  affected  parts  with 
tobacco  water  heated  to  120'  and  afterwards  with  soap  and 
water,  will  completely  destroy  them  if  it  is  thoroughly  done. 
The  Oleander  is  easily  propagated  from  cuttings  of  the 
young  growth  in  the  spring  and  summer.  A  favorite  and  time- 
honored  method  of  proceeding  with  this  operation  is  by  placing 
the  cutting  in  a  bottle  of  water  suspended  in  the  window  or  im- 
der  the  piazza  ;  this  means  is  quite  similar  to  the  saucer  system 
of  propagation  described  on  page  35,  and  in  the  case  of  this 
plant  is  perhaps  quite  as  good  a  one.  Ijnmediately  as  the  roots 
3,ppear,  the  cutting  shoii]4  be   potted  and  should  receive  an 


266  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


abundance   of  water  until  it  becomes  rooted  in   the  soil.     The 
double  varieties  do  not  show  their  character  until  the  plants 
become  strong. 
O.  aZ5itm_pZe?iit?/z— An  introduction  from  the  West  Indies.    Long, 

slender  foliage  ;  fine  double  white  flowers. 
O.  atroj)ur2Dureum2:>leniuu -The  richest  hlood-red  crimson  color, 

quite  double  and  finely  imbricated, 
O.flavum  Duplex— l^?iYge,    semi-double,    yellow    flowers  ;  early 

and  free  flowering. 
O.  madoni  grandiflora — Fully  as  large  as  the  double  pink,  and 

nearly  as  double  ;  pure  white  ;  strong  habit. 
O.  Prof.  Durand—^' hite,  duplex  flowers,  yellow  throat. 
O.  splendens— Double  pink. 
O.   gloriosum — Brilliant    carmine-pink    flowers  ;    very    double  ; 

showy  and  desirable 
O.  Henry  Sahut — A  beautiful  variety  with  delicate  flesh-colored 

flowers,  occasionally  flaked  with  while  ;  the  edge  of  petals 

changing  to  white  as  the  flowers  become  fully  expanded. 
O.  lutea — Single  yellow  ;  free  flowering. 

ORCHIDS  {Greenhouse  Perennials). 

A  natural  order  of  endogenous  plants  remarkable  for  the  struc- 
ture of  their  flowers,  which  are  also  of  great  beauty  and  exquis- 
itely fragrant.  The  species  are  very  numerous,  several  thousands 
being  described.  They  are  found  in  all  parls  of  the  world  except 
the  coldest  and  most  arid  regions,  but  are  most  numerous  in  the 
humid  forests  of  the  torrid  zone,  and  particularly  in  America.  They 
have  of  late  been  much  cultivated,  houses  being  sometimes 
specially  devoted  to  them.  It  is  a  mistaken  notion,  however, 
which  is  prevalent  among  amateurs,  that  the  cultivation  of  them 
is  attended  with  much  difficulty.  It  is  true  that  there  are  cer- 
tain requisites  to  their  successful  culture  which  mainly  depends 
on  the  conditions  of  their  natural  state  being  complied  with. 
Careful  attention  to  temperature  is  necessary  and  also  to  ventila- 
tion, and  although  much  heat  and  moisture  are  required  for  the 
tropical  sorts,  the  atmosphere  must  not  be  constantly  hot  and 
humid,  but  seasons  of  rest  must  be  given  to  the  plants  which  in 
their  native  climates  have  generally  a  wet  and  dry  season,  the 
latter  being  to  them  in  many  respects  what  the  winter  is  to  plants 
of  the  temperate  regions.  It  is  getting  better  understood  of  late 
years  that  the  cultivation  of  many  of  the  most  beautiful  Orchids 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  267 


is  no  more  difficult  than  the  growing  of  ordinary  greenhouse  and 
hothouse  plants,  nor  are  houses  of  special  construction  at  all 
needed  for  producing  the  best  results  from  these  fascinating 
plants.  Those  from  the  tropics  can  be  associated  with  Ixoras, 
Marantas,  Eucharis,  etc.,  while  others  from  cooler  climates  flour- 
ish in  the  company  of  Camellias,  Azaleas  and  other  plants  re- 
quiring the  temperature  of  an  ordinary  greenhouse.  The  genus 
of  the  tropics  are  at  home  in  the  densest  jungles  and  are  found 
clinging  to  the  trunks  of  trees,  rocks,  etc.  Among  this  group 
are  found  the  ones  most  prized  by  the  enthusiast  for  their  won- 
derful beauty  and  rarity,  but  there  are  found  some  of  the  most 
interesting  specimens  in  the  more  temperate  climates.  The  varie- 
ties of  epiphytes  show  a  wonderful  tenacity  of  life  and  possess 
the  remarkable  property  of  imbibing  the  whole  of  their  nutri- 
ment from  the  atmosphere  without  the  intervention  of  any  kind 
of  earth.  These  may  be  placed  in  baskets  or  fastened  to  blocks 
of  wood,  with  a  little  moss  or  some  such  thing  around  the  roots 
to  keep  them  from  becoming  too  dry,  and  are  thus  placed  on  the 
shelves  or  suspended  from  the  roof  of  the  house.  The  plants  of 
themselves  are  odd;  of  some  of  the  sorts  the  foliage  is  very  hand- 
some, while  many  of  the  most  expensive  and  rare  specimens 
would  hardly  be  afforded  a  casual  glance  when  out  of  flower. 
But  it  can  be  said  of  the  whole  species  that  the  elegance  and  rich 
perfume  of  their  flowers  combine  to  make  them  objects  of  uni- 
versal admiration.  The  following  list  embraces  the  most  popular 
and  easier  grown  kinds  of  tins  beautiful  class  of  plants: 

(T.)  Distinguishes  the  Tropical  species,  such  as  require  the  tem- 
perature of  a  hot-house. 
(I.)  Intermediate  or  ^varm  greenhouse. 

[C.)  Cool,  or  such  as  may  be  grown  in  an  ordinary  greenhouse. 
(T.)  Aerides  virens — Light    peach    color,    spotted   with    purple, 

the  lip  being  spotted  with  crimson;  fragrant. 
(G.)  Bletia  hyacinthina. 

{C.)Bletia  Tankervillae — Large  showy  flowers,  produced  on  stems 
about  18  inches  high ;  flowers  white,  marked  with  brown. 
(I.)  Cattleya  Labiata  Pescatorei — Light  green  foliage,  free  bloom- 
ing; the  sepals  and  petals  light  rose;  the  lip  rich  crimson. 
(L)  Cattleya  Labiata  Percivaliana. 

(I.)    Cattleya   Mossiae— Flowers   very    large,   from  five  to    six 
inches  across,  of  a  rosy  crimson  color. 


268  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

(C.)  Cattleya  Citrina — Large  flowers,  of  a  bright  yellow,  pro- 
duced from  the  top  of  the  bulb;  very  fragrant. 

(C.)  Chysis  Bractesceus — Sepals  and  petals  white,  with  a  yellow 
blotch  in  the  centre  of  lip. 

(I.)  Cypripedinm  Barbatum — A  pretty  species,  with  beautifully 
spotted  foliage,  and  flowers  of  a  brownish  purple,  spotted 
with  white. 

(C.)  Cypripedium  Insigne — Solitary  flowers  are  produced  in 
winter,  lasting  six  weeks  in  bloom ;  sepals  and  petals  yellow- 
ish green,  the  dorsal  tipped  with  white  and  spotted  brown. 

(C.)  Cypripedium  Venustum—lLight  green  leaves,  curiously 
blotched  and  mottled  dark  green  and  black.  The  flower  is 
of  a  greenish  white,  the  lip  of  yellowish  green  color. 

(T.)  Dendrohium  Formosum — Sej^als  and  petals  white,  with 
bright  yellow  spot  in  the  centre  of  lip. 

(T.)  Dendrobium  Formosum  Giganteum — P'lowers  from  four  to 
five  inches  across ;  color  snow  white,  with  bright  yellow  on 
centre  of  lip. 

(C.)  Dendrobium  Nobile — Flowers  pink  and  white,  with  a  spot 
of  crimson  in  the  center  of  the  lip. 

(I.)  Dendrobiu'm  Pierardii — A  beautiful  winter-blooming  species, 
with  beautiful  white  and  yellow  flowers,  lasting  for  three 
weeks. 

(T.)  Dendrobium  Superbum  Giganteum— A  showy  variety,  with 
flowers  from  five  to  seven  inches  across  ;  sepals  and  petals 
beautiful  rose-purple,  the  lip  the  same  color,  fringed  and 
marked  at  the  base  with  a  pair  of  rich  purplish-red  spots. 

(I.)  Dendrobium  Primulinum — White  and  pink  fiowers,  produced 
in  two  rows  along  the  stem. 

(T.)  Dendrobium  TT^ardianwm— Sepals  and  petals  white,  tipped 
with  magenta,  the  lower  part  of  the  lip  rich  orange, 
spotted  on  each  side  with  crimson. 

(T. )  Dendrobium  Suavissimuni. 

(C.)  Epidendrum  3Iachrochilum—Sei:>als  and  petals  brown,  the 
lip  large,  pure  white,  with  a  purple  blotch  at  the  base. 

(C.)  Epidendrum  VitelUnum—f^e-pals  and  petals  rich  orange- 
scarlet,  the  lip  bright  yellow  ;  lasts  in  bloom  for  six  weeks. 

(C.)  Laelia  Acuminata -The  sepals  and  petals  are  w^hite,  the 
lip  white  with  a  dark  blotch  on  the  upper  part. 

(C.)  Laelia  ^nceps— Sepals  and  petals  rose-lilac,  the  lip  a  beauti- 
ful dark  purple. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  269 

, '. . a . , 

(I.)  Laelia  Purpurata — Flowers  very  large  and  showy,  sepals 
and  petals  pure  white,  the  lip  dark  crimson-purple. 

(I.)  Limatodes  Rosea — A  charming  winter- flowering  species  of 
a  beautiful  rose  color. 

(C.)  Ly caste  Aromatica. 

(C.)  Ly  caste  Cruenta — Sepals  and  petals  yellowy  with  a  dark 
spot  in  the  centre  of  the  lip. 

(C.)  Lycasfe  Skinneri — The  sepals  and  petals  are  pure  white, 
tinged  at  the  base  with  rose ;  the  lip  of  the  same  color, 
spotted  with  crimson. 

(C.)  Masdevallia  Tovarensis — Flowers  in  pairs,  pure  white,  lasting 
a  long  time  in  perfection. 

(C.)  Odontoglossum  Grande — Very  large  flowers,  mottled  and 
striped  with  brown  yellow. 

(C.)   Odontoglossum   Rossii — White  and  purple  flowers,   lasting 

in  beauty  a  long  time. 
(I.)  Oncidium  Ampliatum — Fine  large  yellow^  flowers. 
(I.j  Oncidium  Caminiopliorum.. 
(I.)  Oncidiu7)i  CeboUeta  Macranthum. 
(C.)  Oyicidiuni  Ornithoroynchum — Delicate  rose-colored  flowers, 

on  gracefully  drooping  spikes. 
(I.)  Oncidium   Roseum — A   pretty  small- flowering  species,   with 

colored  flowers  spotted  with  red. 
(I).  Oncidium  Volvox. 
(T).  Saccolahium  Blumei  Majus — Beautiful  large  flowers,  violet 

and  white  in  color. 
(T.)    Saccolahium    Guttatutn — An    elegant    species,    sepals    and 

petals  white  spotted  wdth  deep  rosy  purple  ;  lip  small  purple. 

(T.)  Stanliopea  Insignis — Sepals  and  petals  pale  yellow,  white 
spotted  with  red,  the  lip  nearly  white  spotted  with  purple. 

(C.)  Stanliopea  Ocidata — Pale  yellow  spotted  with  purple. 

(C.)  Stanliopea  Trigrina — Very  large  flowers  of  a  pale  yellow, 

barred  and  blotched  with  deep  chocolate. 
(I.)  Tricopilia   Coccmea— Sepals  and  petals  yellow  and  reddish 

brown  in  color,  the  lip  deep  crimson  with  narrow  edge  of 

white. 
(C.)  Tricopilia  Suavis — White  flowers,  spotted  with  pink. 


2/0  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

ORANGE  AND  LEMON— Citrus  {Greenhouse  Perennials,  32,  45 

to  55,  90°). 

These  well  known  fruits  of  commerce  both  belong  to  the  genus 
Citrus,  and  are  quite  identical  in  many  respects.  The  genus  com- 
prises a  great  number  of  kinds  and  varieties,  some  of  which  are 
known  as  wild  and  others  as  cultivated,  the  former  possessing 
little  value,  except  as  stocks  upon  which  to  graft  the  better  sorts. 
Both  the  Orange  and  Lemon  can  easily  be  cultivated  in  pots  in 
the  North,  and  form  attractive  plants  when  in  health  with  their 
rich  glossy  leaves  which  are  also  pleasantly  fragrant  if  chafed. 
Under  favorable  circumstances,  they  may  be  had  to  flower  and 
fruit  in  the  window  or  conservatory,  and  if  the  stocks  be  grafted 
with  the  improved  varieties  the  fruit  produced  will  be  edible, 
although  such  varieties  are  always  more  difficult  to  cultivate  than 
the  stronger  growing  plants  produced  from  seed.  The  flowers  of  the 
Orange  are  noted  for  their  sweetness  and  pure  white  color  in  some 
of  the  kinds.  There  is  an  excellent  dwarf  growing  species  of  the 
Orange,  which  is  known  as  the  Chinese  Dwarf,  and  embracing 
several  varieties.  These  dwarf  sorts  are  very  suitable  for  cultiva- 
tion, being  of  good  habit  and  i)roducing  fruit  freely,  which, 
although  not  edible,  renders  the  plant  highly  ornamental.  They 
can  be  perpetuated  by  cuttings,  thus  allowing  of  their  purity 
being  maintained  to  any  extent.  The  genus  love  a  rich  soil,  and 
one  containing  a  fair  proportion  of  well  decayed  turf,  taken  up 
from  a  loamy  soil,  will  suit  it  as  well  as  any.  For  young  plants, 
it  may  contain  a  portion  of  sand  until  they  arrive  at  a  fruiting 
age.  The  months  of  March,  and  also  August,  are  suitable  times 
for  repotting  the  plants,  which  may  also  then  be  pruned.  All 
stunted  or  straggling  shoots  should  be  M^ell  cut  back  and  a  general 
system  of  pruning  be  adopted  to  effect  a  well  shai)ed  head.  The 
Lemon  especially,  is  greatly  inclined  to  irregularity  of  growth. 
All  the  varieties  of  the  Citrus  tribe  will  bear  a  good  deal  of  shade, 
but  throughout  winter  they  should  have  all  the  light  that  can  be 
secured  for  them.  The  foliage  and  branches  should  also  receive 
an  occasional  cleansing  with  water  and  sponge,  and  insects  of 
no  kind  must  ever  be  tolerated. 

OTHONNA  SEDIFOLIA  Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  45,  85°). 

It  has  a  dwarf,  creeping  or  pendulous  habit,  with  slender, 
round,  fleshy,  light  green  leaves,  and  small  axilliary  flowers. 
As  a  plant  for  hanging  baskets,  flourishing  in  a  cool  temperature, 


THE  HOME   FLORIST.  271 

it  is  very  fine.  Its  numerous  graceful  stems  droop  over  the  sides 
of  the  pot  or  basket,  and  its  sedum-like  f  oUage  glistens  under  the 
bright  sun.  Also  suitable  for  carpet  bedding  among  succulent 
plants.  Propagated  by  cuttings.  Frequently  called  Othonna 
Crassifolia. 

OXALIS  (Greenhouse  Bulb,  34,  45,  80°). 

These  are  bulbs  of  the  easiest  culture,  requiring  very  little 
heat,  and  esteemed  for  decorating  windows,  etc.  They  are  hand- 
some as  basket  and  vase  plants  and  will  well  repay  the  small 
amount  of  care  bestowed  on  their  culture.  The  colors  embrace 
white,  pink,  yellow,  etc. 

P^ONIA  {Hardy  Herbaceous  Peren/iial). 

A  well  known  genus  of  plants  noted  for  their  hardiness,  ease  of 
culture,  vigorous  growth  in  any  garden  soil,  and  for  the  wonder- 
ful size  and  attractiveness  of  their  flowers.  The  flowers  in  many 
of  the  varieties  are  nearly  half  a  foot  in  diameter,  well  rounded 
and  perfectly  double.  There  are  also  semi-double  and  single 
sorts.  The  Herbaceous  Pseonias  are  increased  by  dividing  the 
roots.  This  may  be  done  once  every  few  years,  the  best  season 
for  the  work  being  September  or  October,  t)ut  the  spring  will  also 
answer  if  it  be  done  very  early.  The  roots  should  be  taken  up 
whole,  cut  in  pieces,  each  with  at  least  one  bud,  and  be  reset. 
Plant  in  rich  deep  soil,  with  the  crown  or  bud  three  inches  below 
the  surface. 

PALMS    {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  90°). 

The  natural  order  Palmacea  embraces  the  finest  decorative 
plants  in  cultivation.  They  all  like  shade,  and  an  abundance  of 
moisture  at  the  roots,  as  well  as  frequent  sprinkling  and  syrmg- 
ing  overhead.  The  proi^er  soil  to  grow  them  in  is  two  parts  loam, 
one  part  peat  and  one  part  sand.  The  following  handsome  species 
can  be  recommended  of  ea  y  culture  for  apartments,  conser- 
vatory decoration  or  vase  plants«during  summer. 
P.  Chavicerops  ea^ceZsa— Leaves  fan-shaped,  dark  green  color. 
P.  Corypha  Australis  (Livistonia  Australis) — Leaves  divided  into 

small  segments,  dark  green. 
P.  Cycas  revoluta    (Sago  Palm)— Showy    crown    of  dark    green 

leaves. 
P.  Jaubcea  Spectabilis—Finnate  leaves,  six  to  twelve  feet  long, 

deep  green. 


■•"7 

2/2  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

P.  Latonia  Borhonica — A  beautiful  Palm,  with  large  deeply  divid- 
ed, fan-shaped  leaves  ;  it  is  of  easy  cultivation  and  makes  a 
splendid  plant  for  vases,  baskets,  etc.  This  is  the  most  de- 
sirable and  most  ornamental  of  all  the  Palms. 

P.  Pandanus  utilis  (Screw  Pine)— So  called  from  the  arrangement 
of  the  leaves  on  the  stem  ;  very  graceful,  glaucous  green. 

P.  Fei^c/m— Bordered  with  conspicuous  bands  of  pure  white. 

P.  Phcenix  reclinata—A  cool  greenhouse  Palm,  dark  green 
leaves. 

P.  Ptychosperma  Alexandra  —  An  elegant  slender-stemmed 
species,  not  unlike  a  Sea.forthia. 

P.  Sabal  Andansoni  (Dwarf  Palmetto) — Native  of  our  Southern 
States. 

P.  Seaforthia  Elegans — A  very  graceful  Palm,  dark  green. 

PANICUM  {Hardy  Herbaceous  and  Greenliouse  Perennials). 

Panicum  Plicatum.— This  is  a  desirable  grass  for  the  garden, 
with  deep  green  foliage,  striped  white,  and  occasionall}'  rose  ; 
grows  in  clumps,  and  attains  a  height  of  about  two  feet  ;  propa- 
gates by  division.     Protect  in  winter. 

Panicum  VARTEGATUii  (25,  50  to  60,  90°).  — A  very  attractive 
grass,  of  trailing  or  creeping  habit,  excellent  for  hanging  baskets 
or  pot  culture  in  the  greenhouse  or  window.  The  leaves  are  willow 
shaped,  and  distinctly  variegated  with  white,  rose  and  green  The 
plant  requires  a  warm  place,  and  rather  delights  in  shade;  j)ropa- 
gates  from  cuttings. 

PANSY— Heart's-ease,  Viola  Tricolor  {Hardy  Annual). 

The  Pa.nsy  is  a  flower  of  such  excellent  qualities,  that  it  ranks  in 
general  esteem  perhaps  higher  than  any  other  one  in  cultivation, 
not  even  excepting  the  Rose.  Treated  as  a  hardy  annual,  and 
it  is  very  easy  to  raise  from  the  seed ;  is  remarkably  produc- 
tive of  flowers  for  a  long  time,  and  the  flowers  are  the  subject  of 
admiration  from  all  beholders.  Their  colors  range  from  white  to  jet 
black  through  the  various  shades  of  violet,  dark  and  light  blue, 
red,  bronze,  yellow,  purple,  etc  ,  and  there  are  some  varieties 
which  are  most  beautifully  and  distinctly  striped  and  blotched. 
To  grow  the  Pansy  to  perfection  simply  requires  that  they  be 
planted  in  soil  of  high  fertility,  and  with  this  requisite  secured 
there  is  no  need  of  hot-bed,  conservatory,  or  any  other  appliance 
to  have  an  abundance  of  flowers,  if  the  directions  here  given  are 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


273 


Group  of  Pansy  Floicers. 

followed.  They  flower  most  freely,  and  the  bloom  is  of  the  finest 
quality  in  the  months  preceding  and  following  the  hottest  and 
dryest  part  of  summer,  although  there  is  no  complete  cessa- 
tion of  bloom  during  this  period  if  the  soil  is  ordinarily  retentive 
of  moisture  and  well  enriched.  The  seeds  should  be  sown  in 
August  or  early  in  September.  If  the  seed-bed  is  shaded  with 
whitewashed  sash  or  lath  shutters— the  lath  an  inch  apart— the 
seeds  will  germinate  more  readily.  After  the  seedlings  have  made 
their  second  leaves  they  should  be  thinned  out  to  afford  a  chance 
for  proper  development,  or  they  may  be  transplanted  to  several 
inches  apart  in  any  rich  soil  for  wintering.  Young  Pansy  plants 
are  hardy,  and  all  the  protection  they  require  is  a  slight  scattering 
of  long  straw  or  hay  on  the  beds,  after  the  ground  is  frozen, 
which  will  prevent  any  injury  to  the  plants  from  thawing 
weather  that  may  occur  during  the  winter  ;  this  must  be  removed 
early  in  the  spring.  For  final  flowering,  plant  six  to  nine  inches 
apart  in  the  well  enriched  beds  as  above  alluded  to.  If  sowing  in 
the  summer  was  neglected,  the  seed  may  be  started  about  Feb- 
ruary in  heat  and  nearly  the  same  results  be  gained  as  with 
Summer  sowing,  but  with  more  trouble.  Should  these  spring- 
grown  plants  be  too  small  for  flowering  before  midsummer,  they 
will  do  all  the  better  in  the  fall  months  for  not  having  flowered  in 
the  spring. 


274  THE   HOME  FLORIST. 


PASSION    FLOWER — Passiflora    {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35, 

50,  90°). 

Climbing  plants  for  the  greenhouse  and  window  that  possess  a 
pleasing  appearance,  in  the  foliage,  the  form  of  growth  and  in  the 
flowers.  They  withstand  the  dry  heat  of  dwellings  better  than 
the  average  of  plants.  The  plants  are  frequently  set  out  perma- 
nently in  the  conservatory  to  climb  along  the  rafters,  for  which 
purpose  they  are  well  suited  and  very  ornamental. 

PELARGONIUM— Lady   Washington  Geeanium   {Greenhouse 
Pe?=e>imaZ,  33,  45  to  55,  90°). 

A  division  of  the  Geranium  family  (popularly  speaking, 
for,  in  a  botanical  sense,  the  so  called  tender  Geraniums  are  Pelar- 
goniums), the  plants  of  which  are  only  suitable  for  pot  culture, 
producing  flowers  of  an  extremely  high  rank  of  beauty.  The 
plant  is  in  appearance  somewhat  similar  to  the  common  Horse- 
shoe or  Scarlet  Geranium  but  more  upright  in  its  habit,  and  with 
stiffer  leaves.  The  flowers  are  also  quite  similar  in  form,  but  are 
much  larger,  averaging  about  two  inches  across,  and  possess  the 
richest  colors,  and  shades  of  colors  imaginable,  ranging  from 
purest  white,  through  carmine,  crimson,  rosy  pink,  vermilion,  to 
the  darkest  maroon,  and  through  the  intervening  shades  for  the 
ground  colors,  and  then  upon  these  the  most  exquisite  veinings 
and  shadings,  and  upon  petals  of  the  finest  satin-like  texture,  yet, 
of  such  a  thickness  that  but  the  deepest  markings  run  through 
them.  Usually  the  under  side  of  the  petals  are  of  a  tinted  white, 
or  a  lighter  and  uniform  shade  of  the  predominating  color  of  the 
flower.  The  Pelargonium  is  not  so  valuable  a  window  plant  as 
some  of  the  Geraniums,  for,  although  of  a  free,  healthy  growth, 
it  is  here  inclined  to  be  a  shy  bloomer.  As  spring  and  early  sum- 
mer flowering  plants  in  the  conservatory,  however,  all  the  vari- 
eties possess  the  greatest  value  for  decorative  purposes,  blooming 
with  great  freedom.  No  conservatory  can  be  considered  well 
stocked  without  some  of  these  plants  in  the  collection.  After  the 
plants  have  flowered  in  the  summer  they  should  be  given  a  rest 
of  two  months  by  almost  entirely  withholding  water  from  them. 
At  the  end  of  this  time  they  should  be  cut  back  and  be  repotted 
into  fresh  soil  of  a  fertile  nature,  first  soaking  the  ball  of  old  earth 
in  which  they  have  been  growing,  and  removing  all  of  this  that 
can  be  taken  off,  without  mutilating  the  roots.     Water  may  be 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  2^5 

freely  applied  from  this  time  on.  During  the  winter  the  plants 
should  be  placed  in  a  light  situation,  and  given  sufficient  space  to 
enable  the  air  and  light  to  reach  all  the  foliage.  Due  attention 
should  be  paid  to  pinching  back  any  strong  growing  shoots,  and 
neat  stakes  should  provided  if  necessary,  to  keep  the  plants  to  a 
pleasing  shape.  The  plants  propagate  quite  readily  from  cuttings. 
The  end  shoots  obtained  in  pruning  back  the  plants  in  September 
after  their  annual  rest,  are  the  most  suitable  for  striking,  and 
strong  plants  can  be  grown  from  these  by  spring,  if  they  are  re- 
potted as  required  during  winter. 

P.  Arcadian  Prince— Beep  glowing  rosy  crimson,  slightly  pen- 
ciled with  maroon  ;  an  excellent  grower  and  free  bloomer. 
P.  Augusta  Odier — An  exceedingly  rich,  carmine-veined  variety. 
P.  Beadsman — Pink,  maroon  spots. 
P.  Belle  Blonde— White,  edged  and  penciled  with  carmine,  and 

spotted  with  maroon. 
P.  Bianca—SheU  tinted  pink,  with  dark  spots  running  through 

crimson  to  pink,  on  two  petals. 
P.  Captivation — Pure  white,  with  striking  spots  of  dark  maroon. 
P.  Diadematum — Bright  crimson  pink,  penciled  with  maroon. 
P.  Dr.   Andre — Blush  pink  ground,  the  margins  of  the  petals 

elegantly  fringed. 
P.  Gen.  Taylor — A  free  flowering  carmine  pink  variety,  slightly 

marked  with  maroon  on  two  petals  ;  a  superb  variety. 
P.  Glorie  de  Belleview — Light,   veined  crimson,   with    blackish 

maroon  spots;  fine. 
P.    James  Odier — Upper  petals  white,   under  shell-tinted  with 

maroon  markings. 
P.  Lavina — Pure  white,  with  the  lower  petals  distinctly  marked 

with  maroon  and  edged  with  crimson. 
P.  Marksman— White  ground,  prof usely  marked  and  stained  with 

purplish  crimson. 
P.  Madella  d'O?'— Darkest  crimson,  with  darker  spots  and  light 

center;  exceedingly  rich. 
P.  Manzinella — Pink,  crimson  and  maroon. 
P.  Norma — Light  lilac  on  white,  with  dark  spots. 
P.  Sir  Casper — Light  pink,  blotched  with  maroon  and  crimson. 
P.  Wliite  Lady — A  pure  w^hite   variety,   the  flowers  of  which, 

although  freely  produced,  are  rather  below  the  average  in 

size. 


2/6  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

PENSTEMON  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  30,  45, 75"). 

A  class  of  nearly  hardy  plants  (there  are  also  some  species  that 
are  entirely  hardy)  suitable  for  the  flower  garden  and  pot  culture. 
They  bloom  for  a  long  time  during  the  summer  months.  The 
flowers  are  produced  in  spikes  of  Foxglove-like  form,  are  of  good 
colors  and  very  nicely  shaded  and  mottled.  The  plants  can  be 
taken  up  from  the  flower  garden  in  the  fall  and  i)reserved  in  a 
cold-pit  or  the  cool  end  of  a  conservatory  or  in  the  cellar  during 
the  winter.     Propagate  readily  from  cuttings. 

PEPEROMIA  (OreenJiouse  Perennial,  35,  55,  85="). 

A  pretty  and  valuable  genus  of  dwarf  plants  with  fine  silvery 

markings  and  reticulations  in  the  foliage.      They  require  partial 

shade  and  moisture  and  are  particularly  adapted  for  Wardian 

cases  and  cabinets.     Propagates  from  cuttings. 

P.  Verschafelti — Large  foliage,  brilliant  silvery  markings. 

P.  maculosa — Silvery  cornate  foliage;  very  pretty. 

P.  resedceflora  —  Ijesives  small  ;  flowers  white,  constant  bloomer; 
very  handsome. 

P.  magnolicefolia — Of  taller  growth,  with  long  fleshy  leaves. 

P.  prostrata — This  very  pretty  and  slender  growing  basket-plant 
proves  to  be  a  welcome  addition  to  this  popular  class  of 
plants.  The  leaves,  which  are  round,  are  produced  close 
together  on  long  thread-like  creeping  rhizomes,  and  are 
beautifully  variegated  with  browTi  and  light  green.  The 
mature  leaves  assume  a  somewhat  globular  shape,  giving  to 
the  plant  a  distinct  and  unique  character. 

PERISTROPHE    Angustifolia  Aurea    (Greenhouse  Perennial, 

40,  60,  90°). 

A  beautiful  jDlant  native  of  India,  has  showy  purple  flowers  well 
adapted  for  baskets  or  wardian  cases  and  also  beds  out  well ;  the 
foliage  is  handsomely  marked  with  golden  yellow;  propagates  by 
cuttings. 

PETUNIA  (Half-Hardy  Annual  or  Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  50, 

85°). 

For  out-door  decoration  in  summer  there  are  few  plants  that 
excel  this  class.  They  commence  to  flower  early  and  continue  a 
mass  of  bloom  the  w^hole  summer  and  until  after  frosts.  There 
are  both  double  and  single  varieties,  the  former  usually  being 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


277 


Petunia. 


increased  from  cuttings  and  treated  as  greenhouse  perennials  in 
winter,  and  the  latter  as  annuals,  raising  them  from  seed  every 
spring,  although  the  best  of  these  can  also  be  perpetuated  very 
profitably  from  cuttings,  thus  insuring  the  purity  of  any  desirable 
strain.  Double  varieties  can  also  be  raised  from  seed,  but  only  a 
limited  percentage  can  usually  be  depended  upon  to  come  double. 
Aside  from  the  great  value  of  the  entire  family  as  bedding  plants, 
the  double  varieties  especially  are  very  satisfactory  if  grown  in 
rich  soil  in  pots,  and  the  stronger  growing  single  varieties  are 
excellent  for  planting  in  hanging  baskets  or  vases  for  trailing  over 
the  edges.  For  this  latter  named  purpose  the  seed  should  be  sown 
as  early  as  March.  For  ordinary  summer  decoration  the  seed 
may  be  sown  in  a  hot-bed,  cold-frame  or  prepared  seed  bed,  trans- 
planting the  seedling  plants  eighteen  inches  apart  in  the  garden, 
in  May,  or  sowings  may  be  made  where  the  plants  are  desired, 
which  will  do  quite  as  well,  excepting  that  these  will  not  flower 
within  several  weeks  of  as  early  as  the  others. 
The  most  desirable  varieties  among  the  double  Petunias  are  : 


278 


THE    HOME   FLORIST. 


P.  Beauty — Rich  crimson  and  white  striped ;  sometimes  sports. 

P.  Cleopatra — White,  blotched  with  violet  crimson. 

P.  Delicata — Lavender  and  blush, 

P.  Maiden's  Blush — Light  rosy  pink  ;  very  beautiful  and  a  free 
bloomer. 

P.  Queenof  Whites— PwxevfhitQ',  very  double;  somewhat  resem- 
bling a  white  Carnation,  but  larger. 

P.  Wm.  White — Crimson  and  white, 

P.  Wm.  Heines — Dark  violet  crimson. 
Among  the  single  varieties  which  may  be  raised  from  seed,  the 

following  are  prominent  for  their  superiority  : 

P.  Countess  of  Ellesmore— Rosy  carmine,  with  white  throat  ;  an 
exceedingly  desirable  variety,  coming  true  from  seed. 
In  the  large  flowering  (G-randiflora)  section  : 

P.  Green  Margined— Crirason  color,  white  throat,  green  edge. 

P  Inimitable— 'PurpUnh.red,  spotted  and  margined  with  white. 

P.  Kermesina — Large  crimson. 

P.  Macidata—Vnv^lQ  and  crimson,  spotted  white. 

P.  Fe?iosa— Beautiful  veined  variety. 


Philadelphus. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


279 


PHILADELPHUS— Mock  Orange  {Hardy  Shrub.) 

These  lovely,  hardy,  exquisitely  fragrant,  flowering  shrubs, 
should  be  in  every  garden.  Indeed,  the  old-fashioned,  sweet- 
scented,  single  Mock  Orange  (so-called  because  of  the  exquisite 
fragrance  of  the  flowers,  like  orange  blossoms,)  is  known  to  nearly 
all  lovers  of  hardy  plants. 

P.  dianthiflorus  plenus— Flowers  very  large  and  numerous,  star- 
shaped,  nearly  double,  producing  bunches  of  five  to  seven 
in  each. 
P.  primulceflorus— Double  white,  resembling  the  blossoms  of  the 

double  white  Chinese  Primula. 
P.  Keteleeri  flore  joZeno— Producing  an  abundance  of  pure  white, 

semi-doable,  very  fragrant  flowers. 
P.  Grandiflora    Single,    or    Mock   Orange- A    rapid    growing, 
medium-sized  shrub,  with  very  fragrant  white  flowers. 

PHLOX  {Half-Hardy  Annuals  and  Hardy  Perennials). 

This  genus,  in  its  several 
sections  embraces  many  plants 
of  value  to  the  amateur  florist. 
Indeed,  no  garden  can  be 
well  stocked  without  some  of 
the  Phloxes .  Throughout 
they  are  of  fine  habit  and 
vigorous  growth,  producing 
*  flowers  of  very  attractive  colors 
in  great  profusion,  the  plants 
thriving  in  any  garden  soil, 
and  with  the  most  ordinary 
attention.  On  account  of  these 
desirable  qualities  they  can  be 
recommended  to  cultivators  of 
little  experience,  as  there  is 
Phlox  Drummondii.  little  danger  of  failure  to  real- 

ize successful  results  in  their  cultivation. 

Phlox  Drummondii.— Among  seed-grown  annuals  for  the  gar- 
den the  Phlox  Drummondii  stands  without  a  rival  for  brilliancy 
of  colors  and  continual  display.  It  is  to  this  class,  what  the 
Verbena  and  Geranium  are  to  tender  greenhouse  bedding  plants. 
It  is  even  a  most  formidable  rival  of  these  brilliant  flowering 


28o  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

plants  named,  when  effect  is  considered.  Taking  into  account 
the  small  cost  of  the  seed  of  this  Phlox,  the  readiness  with  which 
plants  can  be  grown,  and  their  general  attractiveness  when  in 
flower,  either  in  ordinary  beds  or  in  ribbons  and  masses,  and  it  is 
seen  at  once  how  greatly  deserving  of  attention  it  is  from  culti- 
vators generally  for  bedding  and  also  for  cut  flowers.  The 
different  varieties  afford  many  distinct  and  striking  colors,  such 
as  pure  white,  white  with  purple  eye,  deep  blood  purple,  brilliant 
scarlet,  beautiful  rose  color,  rose  w^ith  white  eye,  dark  violet  with 
white  eye,  red  with  white  eye,  crimson  striped  with  white,  slate 
color,  and  many  others,  all  of  which  come  true  from  the  seed. 
The  seed  may  be  sown  either  in  the  hot-bed,  cold-frame  or  in  the 
open  ground.  The  plants  should  stand  about  nine  inches  apart 
for  the  best  results  in  flowering.  They  commence  flowering  early 
and  continue  to  produce  an  abundance  of  bloom  until  towards 
winter,  especially  if  the  flowers  are  removed  as  they  mature. 

Hardy  Upright  Phloxes. — These  are  hardy  herbaceous  peren- 
nials, and  among  the  most  useful  and  showy  ones  in  cultivation. 
The  flowers  are  produced  in  great  profusion,  on  upright  stems 
from  one  to  three  feet  high,  in  the  summer  and  fall  months.    The 
plants  are  perfectly  hardy,  and  will  thrive  in  any  garden  soil. 
After  they  have  attained  some  size,  the  roots  may  be  taken  up  in 
the  fall  or  spring,  and  be  divided  and  reset.  The  following  is  a  list 
of  desu'able  varieties: 
P.  Alexandriena  Varennes — Deep  rose. 
P.  Delecata — Rich  dark  purplish  crimson. 
P.  Glorie  de  Nieidly — Brilliant  salmon  red.  • 

P.  Harlequin — Brilliant  crimson,  somewhat  mottled. 
P.  Hector  Rouillard — Distinctly  striped  crimson  and  rose. 
P.  L.  Avenir — Salmon  and  red;  very  fine. 
P.  Mad.  Aiiiezi  Pothier — Pink  with  deep  red  eye. 
P.  Mad.  Bellvenue — Deep  rose,  crimson  center. 
P.  Mad.  Bernian — Rosy  purple,  crimson  eye. 
P.  Mad.  de  C^ambrez/— Large  rosy  purple,  distinct  dark  eye. 
P.  Mad.  de  Wendall — Almost  pure  white,  crimson  eye. 
P.  Mad.  Masson — Crimson,  petals  edged  and  striped  with  purplish 

rose. 
P.  Mad.  Pepin — Rose,  with  salmon  centre  and  crimson  eye  ;  dis- 
tinct. 
P.  Mad   Van  Hoiitte— Light  pink  with  bright  crimson  eye. 
P,  Mons.  Duffe — Brilliant  crimson. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  28 1 

P.  Napoleon — Pure  white  distinctly  striped  with  purple. 

P.  Roi  des  Roses — Rosy  purple  with  bright  crimson  eye. 

P.  Startler — Striped  rose. 

P.  Venus — Blush  with  carmine  eye. 

P.  Victor  Hugo —Striking  i)urplish  crimson. 

Hardy  Procumbent  Phloxes  (i¥bss  Pi /i/b). — These  differ  from 
the  other  sections  of  the  family,  in  being  of  creeping  habit,  with 
small  pointed  leaves.  They  produce  their  pretty  flowers  in  May, 
at  which  time  the  prostrate  plants  are  literally  covered  with  bloom. 
Of  the  easiest  culture.  Propagate  by  division. 
P.  subulata — Pink  flowers  in  immense  numbers. 
P.  subulata  alba — Pure  white,  similar  in  form  and  growth  to  the 
preceding  variety,  and  very  attractive. 

PILE  A— Artillery  Plant  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  80*'). 

Unique  plants  in  their  way,  with  graceful  frond-like  leaves, 
which,  when  in  flower,  produce  a  snapping  sound  if  water  is 
thrown  upon  them.  They  are  useful  either  as  pot  plants  or  for 
planting  in  baskets,  vases.  Ferneries,  etc. ,  being  in  either  case  easy 
to  manage.     Propagate  from  cuttings. 

PILOGYNE  SUA  VIS  {GreenJwuse  Perennial,  34,  45,  90'). 

A  charming  climber,  very  dense  grower;  very  useful  for  forming 
growing  festoons  between  small  trees  or  stakes,  etc. ;  also,  fine  for 
the  house  in  winter. 

PINK,  GARDEN  OR  FLORIST'S  {Hardy  Perennial). 

A  class  of  hardy  plants  for  the  garden  that  belong  to  the  genus 
Dianthus.  They  much  resemble  Carnations,  but  are  more  dwarf. 
The  flowers  are  perfectly  double,  clove  scented,  and  embrace 
numerous  colors  in  the  different  varieties,  including  pui*e  white, 
carmine,  pink,  etc.,  in  some  of  which  striking  deep  rose,  maroon, 
deep  carmine  and  other  colors  appear  in  the  center  of  the  flower 
or  distinctly  on  each  petal.  Some  are  also  beautifully  fringed. 
The  plants  may  be  propagated  by  cuttings  or  by  layers,  and  will 
thrive  in  any  garden  soil. 

Pure  White  Hardy  Pinks. 

P.  Sarah  Howard — A  fragrant,  double,  iDure  white,  free  flowering 
summer  and  fall  Pink,  not  entirely  hardy,  but  with  slight 
protection,  very  desirable;  exceedingly  valuable  for  bouquet 
making. 


282  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


P.  Alba  fimbriata — A  double  white  early  spring  flowering  sort,  of 
good  form  and  substance,  being  fringed  and  very  fragrant. 
This  one  is  grown  extensively  by  florists  for  bouquet  flowers; 
perfectly  hardy  and  unequaled  for  forcing  in  pots  in  the 
winter,  for  which  purpose  any  of  the  ordinary  plants  from 
the  garden  may  be  taken  up  and  potted  in  the  fall  without 
previous  treatment.     (For  forcing,  32,  50,  80°  ) 

PITTOSPORUM  l^OBIRK  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  32,40,  85°). 

An  evergreen  winter  blooming  shrub  of  very  easy  culture,  pro- 
ducing small  white  flowers  of  exquisite  fragrance  not  unlike  the 
orange  bloom;  there  is  a  variety  of  same  with  variegated  leaves; 
propagates  by  cuttings. 

PLUMBAGO  {Greenhouse  Pere.mial,  35,  50  85°). 

Shrubby  greenhouse  pot  plants,  also  suitable  for  bedding  out, 

producing  large  trusses  of  flowers  during  the  season.     They  flower 

freely  in  plants  six  inches  high,  and  are  desirable  plants  in  any 

collection, 

P.  capensis — Azure  blue. 

P.  rosea— Beautiful  bright  rose. 

P.  alba — Pure  white. 

P.  larpentea  -  Deep  dark  blue.  This  is  entirely  hardy  and  dur- 
ing the  summer  is  covered  with  its  bright  flowers.  It  does 
not  grow  over  eight  to  twelve  inches  in  height. 

POINSETTIA    PULCHERRIMA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  55 

to  65,  100°). 

A  tropical  plant  of  remarkable  habit,  and  possessed  of  gor- 
geous beauty  when  in  bloom.  The  flower,  or  rather  the  floral 
bracts  that  surround  the  flower  proper,  in  well  grown  speci- 
mens attain  a  diameter  of  one  foot,  and  are  of  the  most  dazzling 
scarlet.  The  plants  require  a  warm  place  to  develop  the  flower 
heads,  which  appear  in  December  and  January,  but  with  this 
requi'ement  supplied,  they  are  of  the  easiest  culture.  Sandy  soil 
suits  them  the  best.  After  their  flowering  season  is  over  and 
until  spring  they  should  leceive  only  enough  water  to  prevent 
the  soil  from  becoming  powder  dry.  The  plants  may  be  set  under 
the  staging  of  the  greenhouse  during  this  time.  In  the  spring 
they  may  be  repotted,  afterwards  when  the  weather  is  hot, 
plunging  the  pots  in  soil  in  the  open  ground  and  leaving  them 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  283 

here  until  the  time  of  returning  them  under  glass,  which  should 
be  in  September.  There  is  a  double  variety  of  recent  introduc- 
tion which  in  some  respects  is  superior  to  the  single  kind. 

POLEMONIUM  EEPTANS  {Hardy  Perennial), 

A  fine  hardy  plant  of  dwarf  spreading  habit,  blooming  in  early 
spring;  the  flowers  are  borne  in  clusters  ;  are  bell  shaped  and  of  a 
most  beautiful  bright  blue. 

POLYGONUM  {Greenhouse  aud  Hardy  Perennial,  34,  45,  80°). 

P.  scandens — A  neat  creeping  or  trailing  plant  of  easy  growth  ; 
has  slender  stems  and  small  round  leaves  and  bears  a  pro- 
fusion of  very  small  waxy  white  flowers  ;  splendid  for 
baskets. 

P.  filiforma  folia  variegata  (Hardy  Perennial)  —  Entirely 
hardy  variety,  the  leaves  of  which  are  variegated  white 
and  green,  bearing  rosy  pink  flowers  ialong  racemes,  which 
drop  over  the  foliage,  giving  a  very  pleasing  effect.  It 
grows  to  the  height  of  two  feet. 

POLYANTHUS— Primula  Elatior,  Cups  and  Saucers  {Hardy 

Perennial). 

Pretty,  early  flowering,  hardy  garden  plants  that  are  found  in 
many  collections.  They  flower  mostly  in  May.  The  flowers  ap- 
pear in  trusses  on  erect  stems,  and  embrace  various  colors,  in- 
cluding brown  with  yellow  eye  and  delicate  yellow  edge,  rich 
brown,  almost  black,  either  shaded  or  plain,  various  combina- 
tions of  crimson,  yellow,  sulphur,  etc.  The  plants  may  be  in- 
creased by  division,  and  also  from  seed.  They  delight  in  a  light 
loamy  soil  and  are  benefited  by  a  covering  of  leaves  or  other 
material  through  the  winter. 

POMEGRANATE,  DWARF  {Almost  a  hardy  Shrub). 

The  fruit-bearing  Pomegranate  is  a  native  of  Asia,  and  is  much 
cultivated  in  warm  countries.  The  dwarf,  flowering  kind  is  valu- 
able for  pot  culture,  bearing  flowers  of  leathery  substance.  It  is 
a  deciduous  plant,  and  with  pot  culture  may  be  stored  in  a  cellar, 
cold-pit,  or  under  the  staging  in  the  conservatory  during  winter, 
and  until  April,  when  it  should  be  brought  to  light  and  started 
into  growth.  In  the  Southern  States  the  dwarf  Pomegranate  is 
hardy  with  slight  protection. 


284  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


P.  Double  White— LsiTgQ  double  white. 

P.  Jas.  Vick—A.  variety  which  blooms  when  quite  young,  the 

flowers  are  large  and  of  the  most  brilliant  orange  scarlet, 

grows  from  four  to  six  feet  in  height. 

P.  Variegata— The  flowers  are  very  double,  yellow,  flaked  with 
scarlet,  and  almost  the  size  of  a  Hibiscus  flower. 

POPPY— Papa VER  (Hardy  Annuals  aud  Hardy  Perennials). 

Showy  and  well  known  border  flowers,  apt  to  be  despised 
through  ignorance  of  the  really  good  qualities  of  the  improved 
varieties.  The  annual  varieties  are  easily  grown  from  seed, 
which  should  be  sown  where  the  plants  are  wanted.  Among  the 
perennial  sorts  P.  hracteatiun  is  a  scarlet  variety.  P.  cy^oceum 
orange  ;  an  early  and  free  bloomer.  P.  orientale  (Oriental  Pop- 
py), large,  orange  red  ;  flowering  the  fore  part  of  summer.  These 
are  best  raised  from  seed  or  may  be  increased  by  division  of  the 
roots. 

PORTULACA  (Half-Hardy  Annual). 

Exceeiingly  brilliant  and  popular  low  growing  annuals  of  the 
easiest  culture.  There  are  both  double  and  single  kinds,  in- 
cluding white,  rose,  golden,  orange,  crimson,  scarlet,  rosy  purple 
and  other  colors,  besides  beautifully  striped  varieties.  The 
Double  Portulacas  are  of  remarkable  beauty,  being  as  double  and 
perfect  as  a  Rose.  All  luxuriate  in  an  exposed  sunny  situa- 
tion, and  produce  throughout  the  summer  their  distinct  and 
showy  flowers  in  the  greatest  profusion,  on  which  account  they 
possess  value  for  planting  in  masses  or  in  ribbon  lines, 
as  well  as  for  other  purposes  in  adorning  the  grounds  and  gar- 
den. A  bed  of  either  the  double  or  single  varieties,  but  espec- 
ially of  the  former,  forms  as  attractive  an  object  as  can  be  intro- 
duced, particularly  in  all  sunny  weather.  The  plants  are  grown 
with  readiness  from  seed,  wliich  may  be  sown  early  in  the  open 
ground,  or  in  the  hot-bed,  or  pots  in  the  window,  and  afterwards 
setting  the  young  seedlings  about  eight  inclies  apart  in  the  gar- 
den. The  seeds  saved  from  double  flowers  will  not  all  produce 
perfectly  double  flowers,  although  a  lirge  enough  percentage 
may  be  depended  upon  from  these  to  be  satisfactory. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


285 


Portulaca. 
POTENTILLA—CiNQUEFOiL  {Hardy  Perennial) 

An  extensive  genus,  mostly  natives  of  the  temperate  zones, 
some  of  which  are  w^orthy  of  cultivation,  while  many  are  ranked 
among  weeds.  The  foliage  of  nearly  all  the  varieties  resembles 
that  of  the  strawberry  somewhat.  There  are  in  cultivation 
both  single  and  double  flowering  varieties,  with  such  colors  as 
dark  crimson,  orange  scarlet,  blood  red,  blush  and  salmon,  red 
shaded  with  maroon;  many  are  showy,  and  are  produced  with 
little  intermission  through  the  entire  season.  Succeed  in  any 
garden  soil,  and  are  increased  either  from  seed  or  by  dividing  the 
roots. 

PRIMROSE— Primula  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  50,  85°). 

This  is  a  most  valuable  class  of  plants  for  pot  culture,  either  in 
the  conservatory  or  window.  They  grow  less  than  one  foot  in 
height  and  produce  an  immense  number  of  the  purest  white  and 
other  colored  flowers  during  fall,  winter  and  spring.  There  is  a 
Double  White  variety,  which  is  extensively  grown  for  winter 
flowers  by  florists.  The  flowers  are  an  inch  across,  perfectly  double 
and  of  the  purest  white.  This  variety  is  increased  with  some 
difficulty  by  division  and  from  cuttings  in  the  spring  ;  is  rather 
impatient  of  ill-treatment,  and  will  not  do  as  well  in  the  window 
as  the  single  varieties.     It  requires  a  fine,  rich  soil,  containing 


286 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


Primroses. 

considerable  sand,  and  does  not  bear  to  be  crowded  closely 
among  other  plants.  In  the  summer  it  should  be  grown  under 
glass,  heavily  coated  with  a  wash  of  lime  and  water.  During 
winter  the  glass  should  also  be  kept  slightly  whitened  over  the 
plants,  and  as  uniform  a  temperature  as  possible  be  maintained. 
Water  may  be  freely  applied,  but  sprinkling  the  leaves  or  flower- 
stems  should  be  avoided.  The  Single  varieties  are  reared  from 
seed,  which  is  sown  in  the  summer.  These  include  flowers  of 
white,  rose  and  crimson  colors,  and  also  some  with  finely  im- 
bricated edges.  The  directions  given  for  managing  the  Double 
Primrose  are  also  applicable  to  the  single  varieties. 

PYRETHRUM.     (See  Feverfew). 

RANUNCULUS  {Hardy  Perennials). 

Ranunculus  Acris  Flore  Pleno  (Butter  Cup,  Crow^foot)— A 
hardy  herbaceous  perennial  that  is  quite  common.  The  flowers 
are  double,  glossy,  of  a  pretty  yellow  color,  produced  on  upright 
stems,  two  feet  high,  in  June  and  July.  Will  thrive  in  any  soil, and 
when  once  introduced  in  a  garden,  there  is  no  difficulty  in  keep- 
ing it,  as  it  grows  freely  and  propagates  by  division  very  easily. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  287 

Eanunculus  Asiaticus— Is  a  section  which  affords  some  of 
the  most  splendid  flowers  in  cultivation,  but,  unfortunately,  our 
winters  are  too  severe  to  grow  them  without  difficulty  in  the  open 
ground,  on  which  account  their  culture  is  generally  precluded, 
except  in  the  window  and  conservatory,  where  they  may  be 
grown  by  observing  the  directions  given  for  cultivating  the  Hya- 
cinth and  other  Hardy  Bulbs,  etc.,  on  page  52. 

REINECKIA  CARNEA  {Hardy  Perennial). 

This  plant  has  grassy  leaves  six  inches  to  a  foot  long;  the 
flowers  are  rose  colored  and  fragrant.  They  are  very  useful 
plants  in  aquariums  or  for  margins  of  fountains;  propagates  by 
offsets. 

RHODANTHE  {Half-Hardy  Annual). 

A  beautiful,  though  somewhat  delicate,  genus  of  Everlasting 
flowers,  grown  from  seed,  which  must  be  started  in  heat,  and 
succeed  better  growing  in  pots  than  if  planted  out. 

R.  atrosanguinea — Is  a  distinct  variety,  of  dwarfish,  branching 
habit,  the  flowers  of  which  are  deep  purple  and  violet,  with 
magenta  ray  scales. 

M.  niaculata — Rosy  purple,  with  yellow  disc;  of  quite  strong 
growth  and  large  flowers. 

R.  maculata  alba — Similar  to  the  preceding,  except  that  the 
flowers  are  pure  white,  with  yellow  disc.  This  is  the  finest, 
pure  white,  everlasting  in  cultivation. 

R.  Manglesii — Bright  rosy  color,  and  silvery  calyx;  rather  deli- 
cate for  the  open  ground,  but  succeeds  finely  as  a  pot  plant. 

RHODODENDRON  (Hardy  Perennial). 

The  Rhododendron  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  of  our  hardy  dec- 
orative plants.  The  leaves  are  broad,  glossy  and  evergreen  and  the 
plants  when  growing  in  groups,  or  bel^s,  or  alone,  give  a  pleasing 
effect  in  the  midst  of  winter.  Did  it  produce  no  flowers,  it  would 
still  be  a  most  desirable  hardy  plant  for  every  style  of  lavra 
planting.  In  June,  when  the  masses  of  rich  and  glossy  green 
are  surmounted  by  scarlet,  purj)le  and  white  clusters,  each  clus- 
ter large  enough  for  a  bouquet,  the  display  is  worthy  of  any  ex- 
pression of  admiration.  They  bear  pruning  weU,  and  can  be 
kept  down  to  two  feet,  or  allowed  to  grow  six  or  eight  feet;  as 
standards,  they  are  particularly  fine. 


288  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


They  require  only  a  good  garden  soil,  which  should  be  dug  at 
least  two  feet  deep  and  mixed  with  some  leaf  mould  or  peat; 
the  ground  should  be  mulched  during  the  summer  and  a  protec- 
tion of  leaves  and  brush  be  applied  during  the  winter. 

RHYNCOSPERMUM  JASMINOIDES  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  36, 

55,  95^). 

A  beautiful  greenhouse  plant,  with  glossy  evergreen  foliage, 
producing  masses  of  pure  white  Jasmine-like  flowers,  delightfully 
fragrant;  in  bloom  about  May  and  June.  It  is  of  a  climbing 
habit,  and  presents  a  beautiful  appearance  when  properly  trained. 
The  flowers  are  very  desirable  for  bouquets,  etc. 
R.  jasminoides  aurea  variegata — Foliage  variegated  green,  white 

and  carmine. 
R.  jasminoides  argentea  variegata — Foliage  edged  with  silvery 

white . 

RICHARDIA  ALBA  MACULATA  (Tender  Bulb) 

A  plant  belonging  to  the  same  genus  as  the  Calla,  with  beauti- 
fully spotted  leaves.  It  flowers  during  the  summer  months, 
either  in  pots  or  if  planted  out  in  the  open  border.  The  flowers 
are  shaped  like  those  of  the  Calla,  and  are  white,  shaded  with 
violet  inside.  It  is  a  deciduous  plant,  the  root  of  which  should 
be  kept  dry  in  the  winter  in  the  cellar  or  under  the  bench  of  the 
conservatory,  and  started  in  the  spring  like  a  Dahlia. 

RICINUS— Castor  Oil  Bean  {Half  Hardy  Annual), 

A  genus  of  ornamental  seed-grown  plants  of  stately  growth, 
and  with  picturesque  foliage,  that  are  highly  useful  for  planting, 
either  singly  or  in  groups,  about  the  lawn  or  garden,  or  with 
other  strong-growing  plants,  possessing  striking  foliage  or  flowers 
suchasCannas,  Caladiums,  Japanese  Striped  Maize,  Hollyhocks, 
Helianthus,  etc.  The  seeds  may  be  planted  in  the  open  ground 
in  May,  or  may  be  started  a  month  earlier  in  pots,  in  the  hot- bed 
or  window,  thus  securing  showy  pla.nts  some  weeks  earlier.  The 
young  plants  will  not  bear  much  moisture  or  cold,  and  when 
brought  on  inside  should  be  kept  near  to  the  glass. 

ROSE.     (See  pages  65  to  122.) 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  289 


EIVINA  HUMILIS  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  36,  55,  95'). 

Greenhouse  evergreen,  grown  for  its  beautiful  racemes  of 
bright  scarlet  berries.  A  plant  of  some  size,  is  always  full  of 
the  fruit,  which  makes  it  quite  attractive;  of  easy  culture;  the 
flowers  are  white;  increased  by  seed  or  cuttings. 

EONDELETIA  ANOMALE  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,  55,  95°). 

A  genus  of  greenhouse  plants  of  dwarf  habit,  requiring  a 
rather  warm  temperature  and  frequent  syringing.  It  is  a  very  neat 
plant,  bearing  vermilion  blooms  when  quite  small  and  continues 
in  flower  during  the  summer;  propagated  by  cuttings. 

ROSEMARY — Rosemarianus    Officinalis   (Greenhouse  Peren- 
nial, SS,  45  to  55,  85°). 

A  common  sweet-scented  plant,  of  erect  habit,  much  cultivated 
as  a  house  plant.  It  thrives  with  the  most  ordinary  care,  and  is 
generally  prized  by  all  who  cultivate  it.  The  plants  may  easily 
be  propagated  from  cuttings, 

RUELLIA  (Greenhouse  Perennials,  35,  50,  90°). 

A  genus  of  free  flowering  plants,  blooming  continuously  dur- 
ing the  season,  and  of  easy  culture. 

P.  Formosa— Bears  scarlet  salvia-like  flowers  in  great  profusion, 

making  it  desirable  for  bedding. 
R.  macrantha—Has  beautiful  purplish  pink  flowers  of  large  size, 

being  several  times  the  size  of  the  preceding  variety. 

RUSSELIA  JUNCEA  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  34,  45,  85°). 

A  splendid  basket  plant  of  neat,  slender  habit,  with  bright 
scarlet  flowers,  which  are  very  conspicuous,  a  color  that  is  scarce 
in  basket  plants. 

SALPILGLOSSIS  (Half-Hardij  Annual). 

Beautiful  annuals  for  the  garden,  with  funnel-shaped  flowers, 
richly  colored,  veined  and  marbled.  On  close  examination  the 
blossoms  will  be  found  to  have  a  rich,  velvety  softness  seldom 
seen  in  other  flowers.  But  for  the  fact  that  the  plants  are  of 
somewhat  slender  and  straggling  growth,  they  would  be  exceed- 
ingly desirable.  Seed  may  be  sown  in  the  open  border.  The 
plants  should  stand  about  eight  inches  apart. 


290  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

SALVIA— Sage  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45  to  50,  80°). 

A  family  of  late  summer  flowering  plants,  suitable  for  the  gar- 
den. They  are  of  robust  growth,  easily  cultivated  in  any  soil, 
and  form  very  attractive  plants  when  in  bloom.  Easily  increased 
from  cuttings,  and  most  of  the  varieties  from  seed.  The  plants 
may  be  lifted  in  the  fall  and  be  cut  back  severely  and  potted,  and 
thus  kept  in  a  growing  condition,  either  in  a  light  cellar,  the 
window  or  conservatory,  until  February,  when  new  stock  may 
be  propagated  for  spring  planting. 

S.   officinalis  tricolor — A  beautiful    variegated    variety    of  the 
common  Sage;    foliage   blotched   with  white,   green  and 
sometimes  pink;  dwarf,  bushy  habit;  fine-  for  bedding. 
S.  patens — Flowers  of  the  richest  and  most  distinct  blue;  excel- 
lent for  pot  culture. 
>S^.  splendens — A  superb  fall  flowering  bedding  plant,  growling  to 
a  height  of  two  to  tlu-ee  feet,  and  completely  covered  with 
spikes    of  dazzling  scarlet  flowers,    causing  it,    while  in 
bloom,  to  be,  perhaps,  the  most  attractive  plant  in  the  gar- 
den.    A  sharp  lookout  should  be  kept  for  the  green-fly  on 
this  plant  in  the  winter,  as  no  other  one  is  more  liable  to 
attacks  from  this  insect. 
S.  splendens  alba— A.  white  variety,  similar  in  form  of  growth 
and  flowers  to  the   preceding.       An  excellent  plant  for 
decorating  the  conservatory  and  window  in  the  autumn,  if 
grown  in  a  good -sized  pot. 
S.  splendens  variegata — Has  beautiful  white  and  scarlet  flowers. 
S.  a»ia6i7is— Unquestionably  the  freest  flowering  of  all  the  Sal- 
vias.    Small  plants,  set  out  the  first  of  June  last  year,  were 
a  sheet  of  bloom  all  Summer.     Color  deep  violet,   shaded 
porcelain  blue  and  white.      A  splendid  flower  to  cut  for 
bouquets;  it  will  stand  a  severe  frost. 
S.   rw^27a7is  (Apple-Scented)— Produces  very  freely  neat  spikes  of 
magenta-colored   flowers,   graceful    foliage,    wdth   a   very 
agreeable  apple  fragrance. 
S.   hruantii — A   dwarf  growing  variety,   producing  fine,    large 
flowers  of  a  dazzling,  velvety  red  color;  extremely  attrac- 
tive. 
S.   rosea — A  distinct  winter-flowering  Salvia,  with  rich,  rose-col- 
ored flowers,  borne  in  spikes  six  inches  in  length,  to  con- 
trast with  the  white,  blue  and  scarlet  varieties  of  Salvia. 
It  is  very  valuable. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  29 1 


SANCHEZIA    NOBILIS  VARIEGATA   {Greenhouse   Perennial, 

35,  50  to  90"). 

A  highly  ornamental  plant  of  good  habit  and  vigorous  growth, 
producing  large  leaves  of  an  intense  green,  the  veins  of  which 
are  broadly  margined  with  golden  yellow.  As  a  handsome,  vari- 
egated plant  of  easy  culture  in  pots,  it  is  very  desirable,  particu- 
larly in  a  warm  conservatory.     A  light,  rich  soil  suits  it  the  best. 

SAXIFRAGA  SARMENTOSA  {Greenliouse  Perennial,  32,  40,  80°). 

A  handsome  plant  of  low  habit,  leaves  nearly  round  and  striped 
freely  with  silver  bands;  blooms  white,  of  great  beauty  and  borne 
in  spikes  of  nearly '12  inches  in  height.  It  is  especially  adapted 
for  hanging  baskets,  vases,  etc. 

SCABIOSA— Mourning  Bride  {Half-Hardy  Annual). 

A  garden  plant  of  considerable  value,  grown  from  seed.  There 
ctre  tall  and  dwarf  kinds,  the  former  attaining  a  height  of  two 
feet;  the  dwarf ,  one-half  as  high,  but  both  are  of  free  growth 
and  produce  distinct  flowers  of  many  colors  and  shades,  from 
white,  through  lilac,  brick  color,  dark  purple,  etc.,  down  to  al- 
most jet  black.  The  flowers  are  produced  on  long,  straight 
stems,  and,  with  being  neat  and  pretty,  are  very  useful  for 
cutting  for  summer  bouquets.  In  flower  from  July  to  October. 
The  seed  may  be  sown  early  in  the  open  ground,  or  started  in 
heat,  afterwards  setting  the  seedlings  a  foot  or  fifteen  inches 
apart  in  the  garden. 

S.  nana  fl  pi. — A  dwarf  variety,  somewhat  distinct,  the  flow- 
ers are  quite  double  and  globular,  extending  through  all  the 
colors  of  the  tribe. 

*S'.  stellata  (Starry  Scabiosa)— The  petals,  or  rather  seed  vessels, 
of  this  variety  are  of  jDCCuliar  scaly  texture,  and  when 
dried  are  useful  for  arranging  with  the  Everlastings  and 
dried  grasses  into  winter  bouquets. 

SCUTTELARIA    PULCHELLA     {Greenhouse    Perennial,     36, 

50,  90°). 

A  neat  greenhouse  plant  requiring  but  little  care,  being  of  very 
easy  culture.  It  makes  a  very  desirable  winter  blooming  plant, 
at  which  time  it  produces  its  dazzling  red  flowers  profusely.  The 
bloom  is  produced  in  terminal  spikes.     Propagated  by  cuttings. 


292  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


SEDUM— Stone  Crop  {Hardy  Perennials,  XDrincipally). 

Mostly  garden  plants,  with  thick  succulent  leaves,  and  very 
tenacious  of  existence  ;  the  common  Live-f  or-Ever  belonging  to 
the  genus.  Some  of  the  varieties  are  of  erect  habit,  and  are 
attractive,  while  others  are  of  creeping  and  trailing  habit, 
being  useful  for  cultivating  in  pots  in  the  window  or  con- 
servatory, or  for  planting  in  baskets,  vases,  etc.,  to  droop 
over  the  edge.  Among  the  latter  S.  Seboldii,  with  grayish  green 
foliage  and  wiry-like  stems,  and  >S^.  Seboldii  variegata,  similar  to 
the  preceding,  except  that  the  leaves  are  variegated  with  yellow, 
are  considered  the  best.  Will  thrive  in  any  soil  and  propagate 
readily  by  division  or  from  cuttings,  which,  of  some  varieties, 
will  root  if  simply  laid  where  it  is  damp. 

SELAGINELLA— Lycopodium  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35, 55, 90°). 

Delicate  plants  of  creeping  and  erect  habits,  with  fine  fol- 
iage, and  which  delight  in  warm,  moist,  partially  shaded  situ- 
ations, being,  with  the  Ferns,  an  unequalled  class  of  plants  for 
fernery  culture.  Properly  treated  they  are  a  delight  to  every 
cultivator,  no  matter  what  may  be  the  extent  of  his  collection. 
Propagated  from  cuttings. 
S.  apus  —A  delicate  little  moss-like  plant  with  small  creeping 

stems. 
S.  Cunninghamii — Tall,  erect,  Fern-like;  deep  green. 
S.  densa — A  dense  species,  resembling  a  light  green  cushion  of 

moss. 
;S^.  denticulata — A  pretty  creeping  kind;  leaves  dark  green  and 

rounded. 
S.  denticulata  aurea — A  variety  of  the  preceding  marked  with 

bright  yellow. 
S.  flabellata — Upright  in  growth  and  of  a  very  deep  green  color. 
S.  involvens — Small,  closely-set  foliage  of  a  bright  green  color. 
S.  lepidophylliini — Dwarf,  cushion-like,  pale  green. 
S.  paradoxa — Very  dark  green;  semi-erect;  distinct. 
>S^.  plumosa — Large,  spreading,  erect,  fern-like. 
S.  serpens— Of    creeping  habit;    bright  green,    fading    towards 

evening. 
S.  uncinata — Brilliant,  metallic,  bluish  foliage. 
S.  Warsceiviczii -hsLYf^e,  erect,  pale  green. 
S.   Wildenovi— Delicate  bright  green;  fern-like. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  293 


SEMPERVIVUM  REPENS  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  35,   40,  80°). 

May  be  justly  called  the  miniature  banyan,  .tree.  Its  roots  are 
sent  downwards,  and  becomes  stems  of  the  i)lant  for  its  support, 
and,  when  grown  in  a  pan  or  shallow  pot,  it  is  a  very  interesting 
plant,  and  cannot  fail  to  excite  the  curiosity  of  all  who  behold  it. 

SENECIO  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  34,  45,  80°). 

S.  scandens  (German  or  Parlor  Ivy) — A  well  known,  rapid-grow- 
ing climbing  plant;  well  adapted  for  covering  trellis  work 
quickly  or  training  in  the  parlor  ;  leaves  glossy  green, 
flowers  yellow,  in  clusters. 

S.  macroglosis — A  variety  of  this  popular  plant,  w^hich  is,  per- 
haps, more  valuable  than  the  old  sort.  It  resembles  the 
English  Ivy  to  such  a  degree  that  it  is  often  mistaken 
for  it  ;  the  leaves  have  a  metallic  lustre,  the  veins  and  ribs 
being  of  a  lighter  coloi*.  It  has  the  same  strong;  vigorous 
growth  as  the  common  German  Ivy,  and  for  baskets,  etc., 
it  is  unsurpassed. 

SENSITIVE  PLANT.     (See  Mimosa  Sensitiva.) 

SMILAX.   (See  Myrsiphyllum  Asparagoides). 

SNAP-DRAGON.     (See  Antirrhinum.) 

SNOWDROP.     (See  Galanthus.) 

SOLANUM— Jerusalem  Cherry,  Etc.,   {Greenhouse  Perennial, 

33,  45  to  55,  90°). 

A  genus  of  plants  including  several  useful  species  for  pot  cul- 
ture in  the  window  and  conservatory  and  also  for  bedding.  They 
are  of  the  easiest  possible  culture,  thriving  in  any  soil  and  under 
apparently  adverse  circumstances.    All  may  be  easily  raised  from 
cuttings,  and  the  free  fruiting  varieties  from  seed. 
S.  jasminoides — Possesses  a  neat  climbing  habit,  and  has  small, 
dark  green  foliage  and  pure  white  flowers ;  suitable  for 
training  to  a  trellis  or  pillars  in  the  conservatory. 
S.  pseudo-capsicum  fol.  var.—ls  a  dwarf  variety  of  the  above. 
Aside  of  its  other  good  qualities,  the  foliage  is  margined 
with   sulphur  yellow   to  half  the    depth    of    the    leaves. 
Whether  used  as  a  house  plant,  for  bedding,  or  for  vases  or 
baskets,  it  is  a  useful  plant. 


294  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

S.  pseudo-capsicum — Is  the  well  known  Jerusalem  Cherry,  pro- 
ducing a  large  crop  of  scarlet,  cherry-like  fruit,  from  early 
in  the  fall  until  after  Christmas.  Plants  grown  from  seed 
are  more  productive  of  fruit  the  first  season,  than  those 
struck  from  cuttings,  or  those  several  years  old.  Sow  in 
the  spring  for  fall  bloom,  and  bring  forward  during  sum- 
mer either  in  ample  sized  pots,  plunged  in  the  open  air,  or 
else  by  planting  them  in  the  border  and  taking  up  and 
potting  the  plants  in  September. 

SPIREA  {Hardy  Herbaceous  Perennials  and  Shrubs), 

A  genus  containing  species  natives  of  Europe,  Asia,  and 
America,  and  embracing  both  herbaceous  plants  and  shrubs. 
They  are  all  hardy,  and  produce  showy  flowers,  usually  in  pani- 
cles, their  prevailing  colors  being  white,  pink,  crimson,  etc.  Of 
the  easiest  culture  in  any  garden  soil,  the  herbaceous  varieties 
propagating  by  division  of  the  roots.  The  Astilbe  Japonica, 
which    is    treated    upon    elsewhere,    belongs    to    this    family. 

S.  filipendula  joleno— Is  a  highly  esteemed  species,  with  deep 
green  foliage  of  beautiful  form,  and  clusters  of  pure  white 
bloom,  produced  in  June  on  stems  from  one  to  two  feet 
high.  There  is  also  a  variety  of  the  last  named  one  with 
variegated  foliage  and  whitish  flowers. 

S.  Reevesiifl.  pi.  Beautiful  pure  white  flowers.  Very  double,  like 
small  Eoses,  hardy. 

S.  Tliunbergia — A  pretty  white-flowering  variety,  with  narrow 
linear  leaves.     Valuable  for  forcing. 

STEPHANOTIS  FLORIBUNDA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  40,  55, 

95°). 

A  noble  greenhouse  climber,  can  be  planted  out  in  the  border  of 
the  house  and  trained  over  the  pillars  and  roof,  or  can  be  grown 
in  a  pot  with  a  trellis.  It  produces  its  waxy  white  flowers  in  clusters 
like  Bouvardias,  and  has  a  delicious  fragrance  unsurpassed.  Much 
esteemed  by  bouquet  makers. 

STEVIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  85°). 

The  Stevias,  although  distinct  from  the  Eupatoriums,  are,  in 
points  of  free-growing  and  winter  flowering  qualities  and  their 
general  requirements  quite  similar  to  that  genus,  being  with  them 
also  of  the  easiest  culture  and  a  valuable  class  of  plants  for  the 


THE  HOME  FLORIST-  295 


conservatory,  and  also  useful  for  window  culture.     As  to  their 

management,  follow  the  directions  given  for  the  Eupatoriums. 

S.  compacta — An  early  flowering  species,  with  large  compact 
heads  of  pure  white  flowers;  continues  in  flower  nearly  all 
winter,  and  longer  than  any  other  variety  of  either  Stevia 
or  Eupatorium. 

S.  serrata — A  free-flowering  species,  blooming  most  freely  about 
the  holidays.  The  flowers  are  white,  fragrant,  and  ar- 
ranged loosely  and  gracefully  along  the  stems. 

S.  serrata  nana— A  very  distinct  variety  of  the  well-known  win- 
ter-flowering Stevia  Serrata.  It  never  grows  over  eighteen 
inches  high,  and  it  produces  a.  far  denser  mass  of  flowers 
than  the  old  variety;  the  flowers  are  whiter,  and  it  is  a 
great  improvement  in  every  respect. 


A  double  flower  of  the  Stock. 

STOCK — Gillyflower  {Half -Hardy    Annuals,    Biennials  and 

Perennials). 

A  genus  of  half -shrubby  plants  grown  from  seed,  which  pro- 
duce spikes  of  elegant,  fragrant,  single  and  double  flowers  of 
many  desirable  and  showy  colors,  including  pure  white.  The 
plants  are  in  no  respect  delicate,  being  easily  grown  by  almost 
any  one,  and  in  the  different  sections  afford  varieties  of  the  great- 
est value,  either  for  bedding  or  for  pot  culture  in  the  window,  the 
conservatory  (temperature  33,  45  to  55,  SO")  or  the  open-air  plant 
stand.  Stock  plants  of  every  kind  should  be  transplanted  from 
the  seed  pots  or  beds  in  which  they  are  started  whfle  they  are 


296  THE    HOME   FLORIST. 

quite  small,  as  their  slender  roots  soon  extend  to  such  a  distance 
that  the  plants  cannot  be  taken  up  without  loss  of  fine  rootlets, 
and  consequent  injury. 

Ten  Week  Stocks.— These  are  important  annuals,  ranking  in 
general  desirability  with  the  Aster,  Balsam,  Phlox  Drummondii, 
Portulaca,  Zinnia,  etc. ,  but  are  superior  to  any  of  these  in  their 
admirable  adaptability  to  pot  culture  for  blooming  in  the  winter. 
The  section  includes  varieties,  ranging  in  growth  from  one-half 
to  one  and  one-half  feet  in  height,  which  embrace  a  large  variety 
of  colors,  such  as  white,  bright  crimson,  carmine,  blue,  lilac, 
chamois,  rose,  blood-red,  yellow,  violet,  purple  and  various  shades 
of  these,  most  of  w^hich  are  beautiful,  striking  and  fragrant,  and 
a  large  percentage  of  the  plants  will  produce  flowers  that  are 
perfectly  double.  They  delight  in  a  well-enriched  soil.  For 
summer  flowering  the  seeds  may  be  sown  in  the  hot-bed  or  cold- 
frame  in  April,  or  the  open  ground  in  May,  and  the  plants  should 
stand  twelve  inches  apart.  For  winter  flowering,  sow  in  July, 
August  or  September,  and  cultivate  in  pots  in  the  open  ground 
until  cool  autumn  w^eather,  when  they  should  be  moved  under 
protection,  but  still  treated  to  an  abundance  of  fresli  air  as  late 
in  the  season  as  possible,  and  also  frequently  in  winter.  During 
their  flowering  season  in  pots,  they  will  be  benefited  by  occa- 
sional waterings  with  weak  liquid  manure. 

Autumnal  or  Intermediate  Stocks.  -  This  section  are  prized 
on  account  of  their  flowering  late  in  the  autumn  and  winter, 
which  necessitates  that  they  be  grown  in  pots,  and  brought  into 
the  window  or  conservatory  for  blooming.  For  this  purpose  the 
seeds  should  be  sown  in  the  spring.  Seeds  may  also  be  sown  in 
July  or  August,  for  plants  to  flower  in  the  spring,  A  large  num- 
ber of  bright  and  desirable  colors  are  embraced. 

Emperor  or  Imperial  Stocks,— This  desirable  class  of  Stocks 
are  better  suited  for  pot  culture  than  for  bedding,  and  are  peren- 
nial in  habit,  frequently  lasting  for  several  years.  If  the  seeds 
are  sown  in  the  spring  they  will  bloom  the  following  autumn, 
while  for  spring  flowering  they  should  be  sown  in  July  and  Au- 
gust. The  colors  are  white,  rose  and  crimson,  and  the  plants  at- 
tain a  height  of  about  eighteen  inches. 

Brompton  Stocks.— The  Brompton  Stocks  are  biennial  in  habit, 
flowering  in  the  winter  or  spring  from  seed  sown  the  previous 
spring,    in  the    window    or  conservatory.       By    wintering   the 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  297 

plants  in  a  place  sufficiently  cool  not  to  excite  them  into  a  free 
growth  and  flowering  condition,  they  may  be  planted  into  the 
border  early  in  the  spring  and  will  flower  handsomely  during  the 
summer.  If  a  good  quality  of  seed  is  sown,  more  than  one-half 
may  be  expected  to  produce  double  flowers.  The  flowers  vary 
from  straw  color  to  pure  white,  and  rose  to  deep  purple  and 
violet. 

STEEPTOSOLEN  JAMESONI  (Greenhouse  Perennial,  34,  45,  90') 

Resembling  in  growth  the  Browallias,  the  leaves  being  rich, 
deep  green,  alternate;  of  a  compact,  bushy  growth,  flowering 
very  profusely  in  numerous  trusses;  the  flowers  are  lobed,  nearly 
one  inch  in  diameter,  opening  bright  orange  and  passing  to  rich, 
deep  cinnabar-red.  It  commences  to  flow^er  early  in  March,  con- 
tinuing quite  full  through  June  and  July. 

SUNFLOWER.     (See  Helianthus.) 

SWEET  PEA— Lathyrus  (Hardy  Annuals  and  Perennials). 

The  flowering  annual  Peas  are  desirable  and  popular  plants  for 
the  garden;  excellent  in  every  way  for  bouquets  and  cut  flowers, 
and  on  the  whole  may  be  commended  as  one  of  the  most  essential 
plants  to  every  collection.  The  flow^ers  are  delightfully  fragrant, 
and  yield  a  great  variety  of  shades  and  colors,  such  as  white, rose 
and  white,  purple  and  white,  scarlet,  scarlet  striped  with  white, 
black,  black  with  light  blue,  brownish  purple,  etc.  Being  a  per- 
fectly hardy  annual,  the  seed  may  be  sown  as  early  in  the  spring 
as  the  soil  can  be  prepared.  Sow  in  clumps,  groups  or  drills, 
placing  sticks  or  other  fixtures  for  the  Peas  to  run  upon,  and 
otherwise  treat  them  the  same  as  the  common  Garden  Pea.  By 
cutting  the  flowers  as  fast  as  they  bloom  and  keeping  the  plants 
mulched,  they  will  continue  prolific  all  season. 

Perennial  Pea  {Everlasting  Pea). — A  beautiful  climbing  per- 
ennial, easily  grown  from  seed.  The  flowers  are  red,  white, rose-col- 
ored etc.,  and  are  produced  in  clusters  in  long  succession.  An  ex- 
cellent plant  for  trailing  to  trellis,  or  an  arbor,  and  is  perfectly 
hardy. 

SWEET  WILLIAM.     (See   Dianthus.) 


298  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


TABERN^ MONTANA  CORONARIA  fl.  pi.  {Greenhouse  Peren- 
nial, 35,  55,  95°). 

A  stove  shrub,  bearing  in  profusion  snow  white  flowers  of 
delightful  fragrance.  This  is  a  highly  valuable  plant  where  cut 
flowers  are  a  requisite,  and  should  be  cultivated  in  every 
collection. 

TAGETES  SIGNATA  PUMILIA.     (See  Marigold.) 

TECOMA    JASMINOIDES    (Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  80°), 

In  style  of  growth  this  somewhat  resembles  some  of  the  Jas- 
mine, though  belonging  to  an  entirely  different  family.  Its 
flowers  are  tubular  shaped,  white,  with  a  beautiful  pink  throat. 
It  is  naturally  a  climber,  but  can  be  grown  in  bush  form  by  keep- 
ing it  well  cut  back;  does  well  in  the  sitting  room  or  greenhouse, 
or  bedded  out  in  summer. 

THUNBERGIA  {Tender  Annual). 

Trailing  and  climbing  plants  for  the  conservatory  and  for  win- 
dow culture,  being  among  our  most  valuable  basket  plants  in 
protected  situations,  and  are  also  suitable  for  bedding.  The 
flowers  are  large,  round,  single  and  embrace  peculiar  colors,  that 
are  certain  to  be  admired.  These  are  such  as  yellow,  orange  and 
buff,  with  an  intensely  dark  eye  of  large  size  in  the  center,  and 
there  is  also  a  pure  white  variety .  The  seeds  should  be  started 
early,  in  a  warm  place.  The  plants  are  of  slow  growth  while 
young,  but  as  warm  weather  comes  on  they  advance  rapidly  and 
flower  constantly  for  a  long  time. 

THUNBERGIA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  36,  50,  95°). 

These  are  among  our  most  useful  greenhouse  climbers  requiring 
but  little  attention;  can  be  run  up  the  rafters  or  on  trellis. 

T.  Harrisii — An  excellent  vine  for  covering  trellises,  etc.  The 
flowers  are  tubular  m  form,  two  inches  in  length,  bright 
porcelain  blue,  with  a  yellow  throat.  A  free  blooming 
plant  of  great  merit 

r. /ragra?is— Same  as  preceding,  but  with  pure  white  flowers  of 
delicious  fragrance.     Much  esteemed. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  299 

THYME — Lemon  Scented  {Hardy  Perennial). 

This  plant  is  valuable  for  border  decoration  and  for  using  in 
baskets  and  rustic  designs.  The  leaves  are  variegated,  there 
being  two  kinds,  gold  and  silver. 

TIGEIDIA— Tiger  Flower  {Tender  Bulbous  Perennial). 

A  bulbous  plant  for  the  garden,  producing  beautiful  and  curious 
large  flowers  for  a  long  time  in  the  summer.  Their  colors  in  the 
different  varieties  embrace  orange,  scarlet  and  white,  with  golden 
variegations,  and  are  distinctly  spotted  with  black.  The  bulbs 
may  be  planted  in  the  open  ground  in  May  in  warm  situations, 
and  should  be  lifted  again  early  in  October.  After  allowing  them 
to  dry,  pack  in  dry  sand  or  sawdust  and  store  away  from  frosts  and 
mice  also,  I  may  add,  for  these  will  eagerly  devour  them  if  an 
opportunity  occurs. 


TORENIA  ASIATICA  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  50,  65,  100°). 

One  of  the  prettiest  summer  plants  for  vases  or  hanging  baskets. 
Flowers  blue,  of  a  Gloxinia-like  shape.  Flowers  during  the 
summer  months. 

TRADESCANTI A— Wandering  Jew  {Greenhouse  Perennial,  34, 

40,  85°). 

"Well  known  vines  which  are  fine  for  hanging  baskets  and 
vases,  or  for  brackets.  Will  also  grow  well  in  water  making  a 
drooping  fringe  of  from  two  to  four  feet  long. 

TROP-(EOLUM — Nasturtiuim  {Half  Hardy  Annuals  and  Green- 
house Perennials,  35,  50,  90°). 

A  well-known  genus,  affording  plants  of  strong-growing  and 
free-flowering  habits,  some  of  which  are  of  dwai'f  nature  and 
others  climbers.  The  flowers  are  attractive  and  showy  in  a!l  the 
varieties,  the  prevailing  colors  being  dark  crimson,  brilliant 
scarlet,  dark  orange,  sulphur  spotted  with  maroon,  etc.  There 
is  a  double  flowering  variety,  of  orange  scarlet  color,  which,  with 
Star  of  Fire  and  varieties  belonging  to  tlie  Lobbianum  section, 
are  mostly  cultivated  as  perennials,  being  increased  by  cuttings. 


300  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

The  varieties  which  come  under  the  headNasturtium,  are  grown 
from  seed  planted  either  in  the  open  ground,  or  in  heat,  and  after- 
wards set  in  the  garden.  Those  classed  with  T.  Majus,  being 
climbers  of  rapid  growth,  make  an  excellent  covering  for  old 
walls,  trellises,  etc.;  while  the  varieties  of  T.  Minus  (Dwarf  Nas- 
turtiums), from  their  close,  compact  growth  and  richly  colored 
flowers,  are  suitable  for  bedding  purposes. 

T.  Star  of  Fire — Is  an  exceedingly  useful  and  easily  cultivated 
variety  for  pot  culture  in    the  conservatory,   producing 
dazzling  flowers  in  the  greatest  profusion,  and  climbing 
freely  Qn.  a  trellis,  pillar  or  rafters,  if  planted  in  a  large 
pot.     By  starting  with  young  plants  of  this  variety  in  the 
spring,  keeping  them  in  pots,  and  placing  them  in  a  light 
situaticm  in  the  conservatory,  each  plant  will  produce  hun- 
dreds of  flowers  from  November  until  spring,  of  the  follow- 
ing winter. 
TroPuEOLIJM  Peregrinum    (Canary  Bird    flower). — This    is   a 
beautiful  climber,  with  finely  cut  foliage,  the  flowers  of  which  are 
a  bright  Canary-yellow,  and  when  half  open  have  a  iDrefty  and 
fanciful  likeness  to  little  birds.     The  plants  are  well  adapted  for 
covering  trellises,    etc.;    and  are  easily  grown  from  the  seed, 
which  may  be  sown  directly  where  they  are  required,  or  in  heat, 
afterwards  transplanting  the  seedlings.       In  flower  from  July 
until  frosts. 

TULIP  {Hardy  Bulb). 

The  common  Tulip  is  so  well  known  as  not  to  require  any  de- 
scription, suffice  it  to  say  that  it  is  esteemed  for  its  hardi- 
ness, ease  of  culture  in  any  soil,  and  the  amazing  brilliancy  of  its 
flowers,  which  are  produced  early  in  the  spring.  The  genus  com- 
prises numerous  classes,  including  the  early  and  late  flowering, 
both  double  and  single,  the  Parrot,  Due  Van  Thol,  Bizarres  and 
Byblooms,  in  different  varieties  and  colors,  all  of  which  are  highly 
desirable.  The  gorgeous  coloring  in  many  of  the  improved 
varieties  is  remarkable,  and  a  superiority  can  be  claimed  for  the 
family  in  this  respect  over  any  other  garden  plants.  Among 
the  large  and  most  double  varieties,  as  well  as  the  single,  are  to 
be  found  pure  white,  white  striped  with  rose,  intense  scarlet, 
velvety  crimson,  rich  bright  yellow,  glittering  red,  and  many 
other  distinct  colors.  Tulips  should  be  planted  in  the  autumn, 
as  directed  on  page  32,  at  a  distance  of  five  or  six  inches  apart. 


THE   HOME  FLORIST. 


301 


Parrot  Tulip. 

giving  the  tall,  late  varieties  even  a  little  more  distance,  and  all 
a  covering  of  about  five  inches  of  earth.  The  bulbs  are  also  valu- 
able for  forcing  in  the  w^indow  or  conservatory  m  the  veinter,  like 
Hyacinths,  Crocus,  etc. ,  and  special  directions  for  their  manage- 
ment here,  are  given  elsewhere. 


TUBEROSE  {Tender  Bulb). 

This  is  a  bulbous  plant,  far  less  commonly  grown  than  its  mer- 
its deserve,  and  producing  many  beautiful  pure  white,  wax-hke, 
sweet-scented,  double  flowers,  on  long,  upright  stalks.  The  only 
difficulty  in  the  way  of  this  flower  being  generally  cultivated,  is, 
that  unless  the  tubers  are  started  early,  in  artificial  heat,  our  sea- 
sons in  the  North  are  not  sufficiently  long  for  it  to  flower  in  the 
open  ground.  Unlike  the  Gladiolus,  Tigridia,  and  others,  the 
bulbs  also  do  not  produce  new  bulbs  each  year  for  flowering  the 
next.  It  is  true  that  small  bulblets  form  freely  around  the  old 
one,  with  each  season's  growth,  but  these  must  be  cultivated  one, 
two  or  more  j-ears  before  they  will  be  sufficiently  large  for  flow- 
ering. The  first  difficulty  in  the  way  of  their  culture  named,  may 
be  overcome  by  starting  the  bulbs  in  pots,  in  a  Marm  place,  late 
in  April  and  turning  them  into  the  garden  soil  the  latter  part  of 


302  THE  HOME  FLORIST. 


May.  Should  frost,  in  September,  threaten  to  destroy  the  flowers 
before  all  are  expanded,  no  plants  are  easier  to  take  up  than 
these,  and  the  roots  may  be  carefully  lifted,  potted  and 
removed  to  the  conservatory  or  a  warm,  light  window, 
where  they  can  finish  blooming.  Although  the  Tuberose 
requhes  considerable  heat  to  flower  well,  growing  bulbs 
may  be  transplanted,  either  in  the  spring  or  fall,  with 
safety.  If  it  is  desired  to  secure  new  bulbs  for  flowering,  the 
young  bulblets  should,  in  the  fall  or  spring,  be  removed  from  the 
old  bulbs  and  planted  in  a  warm  part  of  the  garden,  not  earlier 
than  the  first  of  June,  and  then  given  clean  culture  until  the  first 
of  October.  This  must  be  repeated  each  year  with  all  that  are 
desired  for  flowers,  until  they  are  strong  enough  to  produce  flow- 
ering shoots.  The  bulbs  of  this  plant  require,  during  the  winter, 
to  be  kept  in  a  dry  condition,  and  where  it  is  warm.  The  tem- 
perature should  not  fall  far  below  45%  or  else  they  may  receive 
injury,  from  the  germ  of  the  next  season's  flowering  shoot  decay- 
ing, although  the  external  appearance  would  never  indicate  it. 
The  Tuberose  is  susceptible  of  being  managed  to  flower  in  winter 
by  keeping  the  bulbs  dry  and  starting  them  at  any  time,  or  at 
intervals  for  succession  up  to  August  1st;  but  they  require  a  situ- 
ation where  the  thermometer,  in  the  night-time,  will  indicate  at 
least  60°,  and  ten  or  fifteen  degrees  higher  during  the  day,  other- 
wise any  attempt  to  force  them  must  prove  fruitless. 

TRITOMA  UYARIA — Red-hot  Poker  {nearly  Hardy  Perennial). 

This  beautiful  garden  plant  throws  up,  in  September,  numer- 
ous strong  flower  stems  four  feet  in  height,  which  are  each  sur- 
mounted with  a  spike  of  red  and  yellow  flowers  of  exceedingly 
striking  appearance.  Although  the  Tritoma  is  nearly  hardy  in 
this  latitude,  it  is  better  to  take  up  the  plants  in  autumn  and  keep 
them  in  a  cool  cellar  or  cold-pit,  covering  the  roots  with  earth  or 
sand.  Of  the  easiest  culture,  and  they  will  thrive  in  any  garden 
soil. 

VALLOTA  PURPUREA  {Tender  Bulb). 

This  is  a  superb  summer  flowering  bulb  for  pot  culture,  and 
also  suitable  for  bedding.  It  is  easily  grown,  and  in  August 
throws  up  its  flowering  shoots  a  foot  or  more  high,  each  of  which 
is  surmounted  by  five  to  eight  lily-like  flowers,  of  a  brilliant 
scarlet  color.      During  its  season  of  growth  the  plant  should  be 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  303 


abundantly  watered,  and  exposed  to  the  sun  as  much  as  i^ossible. 
In  October  water  should  be  gradually  withheld,  allowirg  the 
roots  to  become  fully  dry  by  November,  in  which  condition  they 
should  be  kept  in  any  dry  place,  away  from  the  frost,  until  March, 
when  they  may  by  applying  water  be  started  into  growth  again 
for  another  season  of  flowering. 

VERBENA  {Annual  or  Greenhouse  Perennial,  33,  45,  80°). 

The  Verbena  is  in  every  respect  a  desirable  bedding  plant,  but 
of  little  use  for  pot  culture.     In  the  open  air  it  is  a  rapid  grower, 
an  abundant  bloomer,  and  the  flowers  in  the  varieties  embrace 
colors  and  shades,  varied  without  end  almost,  and  exceedingly 
bright  and  attractive;  indeed  there  is  not  a  dull  color  to  be  found 
among  them.  Verbenas  set  out  in  May  require  but  a  warm  shower 
to  start  them  into  rapid  growth,  and  tlie  plants  will,  in  the  hot 
weather  of    June,   assume  a  spreading  form,   and    from  then 
on  be  continually  in    bloom.      By  August  the  upright   single 
stem  plant  that  was  set  in  May,  will  have  extended  to  three  feet 
across,  and  will  at  all  times  be  covered  with  scores  of  beautiful, 
bright  and  in  some  varieties,    fragrant  flowers.      Verbenas  will 
thrive    in  any  soil,   but,  without  exception,  it  should  be  in    a 
good    state    of  fertility.     I  would  particularly    caution  inexpe- 
rienced growers  against  planting  too  close  in  the  beds  ;  three  feet 
is  near  enough.     Do  not  grow  them  on  the  same  spot  too  often, 
as  they  do  much  better  on  fresh  soil.      After  the  plant  has  made 
some  growth,  the  stems  should  be  pegged  down  to  the  ground 
with  hair-pins,   or  little   sticks  like  matches,   four  inches  long 
crossed  over  them.      The  Verbena  is  most  generally  increased 
from  cuttings,  although  it  can  be  easily  raised  from  seed.      The 
advantage  of  adopting  the  former  method  is,  that  the  splendid 
named  varieties  can  be  maintained  pure  beyond  a  doubt  from 
year  to  year,  while  it  can  never  be  known  exactly  what  colors 
will  come  from  the  seed.     Seed  grown  Verbenas  also  lack  the  fine 
form  of  the  selected,  named  varieties,  each  of  which  is  likely  to 
equal  the  best  that  could  be  selected  from  among  thousands 
grown  from  seed.      In  the  winter,  stocu:  plants  require  a  cool, 
light,  airy  situation,  on  which  account  it  is  a  difficult  matter  to 
keep  up  healthy  ones  in  a  window.     Where  it  is  desired  to  keep 
over  stock  it  is  far  better  to  start  with,  young  plants  that  were 
propagated  from  cuttings,  in  September,  than  to  take  up  and 
keep  over  the  old  plants.     Propagation  for  bedding  in  the  spring 


;o4 


THE  HOME  FLORIST. 


Verbenas. 


may  be  done  at  any  time  from  January  until  April,  but  the  young 
plants  should  be  given  as  much  light  and  air  as  possible.  To 
grow  seedlings,  sow  in  February,  March  or  April,  provide  plenty 
of  light  and  air,  and  never  allow  them  to  be  crowded.  Verbenas, 
if  well  hardened,  will  bear  some  freezing  without  its  killing  them. 

Verbena  Montana  (Hardy  Verbena).— This  is  a  pretty,  free- 
growing  hardy  plant,  for  the  garden.  The  flowers  are  simi- 
lar in  form  to  the  tender  varieties;  of  a  bright  rose  color,  chang- 
ing to  lilac,  and  are  produced  in  great  profusion  all  summf  r.  The 
plant  is  of  low  spreading  habit,  and  very  handsome  when  covered 
with  bloom. 

VERONICA  {Half-Hardy  Perennial,  30,  45,  75°). 

A  class  of  plants  blooming  during  the  fall  months,  that  are 
well  adapted  for  bedding  and  pot  culture.  The  flowers  are  borne 
on  spikes  from  three  to  five  inches  in  length,  running  through 
the  various  shades  of  purple,  rose,  lilac  and  white,  and  are  attrac- 
tive. The  plants  succeed  in  any  soil,  and  when  growling  in  the 
garden  may  be  taken  up  and  preserved  in  a  cold-pit  during  winter 


THE  HOME  FLORIST.  305 


Veronica. 
or  may  be  kept  in  a  cool  part  of  the   conservatory.      There  is 
a  handsome  variegated  variety  which  is  highly  attractive,  either 
as  a  pot,  basket  or  vase  plant,  or  for  bedding. 

VIBURNUM,  SNOWBALL  {Hardy  Shrub). 

The  common  and  well  known  Snowball  shrub  is  a  strong,  hardy 
i^rower,  covered  when  in  bloom  with  large  balls  of  pure  white 
dowers,  really  resembling  balls  of  snow,  but  much  pleasanter  for 
snowballing  purposes  than  real  snow. 

V.  plicatum — This  is  a  new  variety  introduced  from  Japan  and  is 
said  to  be  superior  to  the  old  sort,  being  of  dwarf er  growth. 

VIRGINIAN  STOCK  {Hardy  Annual). 

This  beautiful  little  annual  is  a  native  of  the  shores  of  the 
Mediterranean.  The  seeds  may  be  sown  directly  where  the  plants 
are  wanted,  early  or  at  any  time  in  the  spring.  The  plants  grow 
six  inches  high,  and  embrace  in  the  respective  varieties,  red, 
white  and  rose  colored  flowers.  The  flowers  are  small  and  distinct; 
are  produced  in  great  profusion  on  erect  stems  well  above  the 
plant,  from  early  in  the  season  until  after  frosts.  Useful  for 
massing  and  in  ribbon  beds,  and  may  also  be  grown  as  an  edging 
plant.  The  plants  to  flower  well  should  stand  not  closer  than 
three  or  four  inches  apart. 


3o6 


THE  HOME  FLORIST. 


Snowball. 


VIOLET  {Hardy  Perennial), 

Famous  spring  flowering  plants,  very  highly  esteemed  for 
their  earliness,  and  the  rich  refreshing  fragrance  of  the  flow- 
ers, which  include  shades  of  color  from  violet  to  white  in  the  dif- 
ferent sorts.  There  are  double  and  single  varieties,  the  for- 
mer being  most  highly  prized,  although  they  lack  somewhat  in 
hardiness.  These  are  forced  extensively  for  winter  flowers, 
in  all  the  large  cities  where  a  good  demand  for  cut  flow- 
ers exist.  Plants  designed  for  this  purpose,  are  grown  in  the 
open  ground  during  the  summer,  at  a  foot  apart  each  way.  In 
August  these  are  gone  over,  and  the  runners  which  start 
into  growth  about  this  time  are  removed  by  pinching  them 
close  to  the  plants.  This  operation  is  repeated  every  few  wrecks, 
and  in  October  the  plants  are  taken  up  and  potted,  or  if  to  be 
forced  in  the  conservatory  they  may  be  planted  directly  in  the 
beds.  The  plants  will  not  bear  close  confinement,  and  a  crop  of 
flowers  can  only  be  expected  where  the  plants  are  kept  cool  (32, 
45,  75°)  and  treated  to  an  abundance  of    fresh  air.    The  double 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  307 

varieties  may  be  wintered  with  entire  safety  in  a  cold-pit,  or  by 
receiving  protection  in  the  open  ground.  Out  of  doors  for  per- 
manent, all  the  violets  delight  in  cool  places,  and  a  little  shade. 
Propagate  by  division  and  cuttings. 

V.  Belle  de  Chatenay—l^ew  double  white  Violet.  The  flowers 
are  pure  white,  most  delicately  perfumed;  of  immense 
size,  and  very  double. 

V.  Double  Blue — Light  blue. 

V.  King  of  Violets — Large  and  double,  indigo  shaded  with 
violet. 

V.  Lackawana — Single  dark  blue,  very  fragrant,  fine  for  forcing. 

V.  Marie  Louise — Dark  blue  flowers,  larger  than  the  Neapolitan. . 

V.  Princess  Louise — Double  white. 

V.  Queen  of  Whites — Fine  double  white,  very  fragrant . 

V,  White  Czar — Producing  very  large  single  flowers,  sweetly 
scented.  Flowers  said  to  be  larger  than  any  other  known 
in  this  class;  strong  growth  and  free  flowering. 

V.  Swanley  IVhite— In  this  we  have  that  great  desideratum,  a  pure 
white  Violet,  which  is  never  tinged  with  pink  or  purple 
under  any  conditions.  It  will  be  equally  valuable  as  the 
purple  variety  Marie  Louise,  from  which  it  is  a  sport, 
for  forcing,  as  its  flowers  are  the  same  size  and  are  as  freely 
produced  as  in  that  variety.  Exquisitely  fragrant.  The 
Swanley  White  will  be  a  novel  feature  in  bridal  bouquets 
and  other  fine  floral  work. 

WALL  FLOWER— Cherianthus  Cheiri  (Half  Hardy  Perennial). 

This  is  a  well-known  plant,  of  the  easiest  culture  from  seed, 
and  suitable  for  pot  or  garden  culture.  It  commences  flowering 
in  the  spring  of  the  second  season  after  sowing;  during  the  pre- 
ceding winter  it  should  be  kept  in  the  cellar,  cold-pit,  or  cool  part 
of  the  conservatory.  There  are  handsome  double  and  single 
flowers,  very  fragrant,  with  orange  and  yellow  colors  predom- 
inating, and  these  shaded  with  red,  brown  or  violet. 

WAX  PLANT.    (See  Hoya). 

WEIGELA  ROSEA    {Hardy   Shrmb). 

This  is  one  of  the  most  useful  hardy  shrubs  for  borders,  etc.  It 
is  very  ornamental  when  in  flower  during  June  and  July.     The 


308  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 

flowers,  which  are  produced  in  great  abundance,  are  of  a  rose 
color.  There  is  a  Variegated  Leaved  variety  which  is  very  hand- 
some, and  a  number  of  other  fine  kinds. 

WISTARIA— Chinese  Glycine  {Hardy  Clwiber). 

One  of  the  most  popular  hardy  vines,  growing  rapidly,  climb- 
ing to  a  height  of  fifty  feet  or  more,  and  when  in  bloom  present- 
ing a  truly  magnificent  appearance. 

W.  Sinensis — The  favorite,  producing  thousands  of  rich  clusters 
or  pendulous  racemes  of  delicate  violet-blue  blossoms, 
richly  perfumed. 

W.  Sinensis  alba— A  white  variety  of  the  above. 

XERANTHEMUM  {Hardy  Annual). 

A  class  of  everlasting  flowers,  possessing  much  merit  for  dry- 
ing for  winter  decoration.  There  are  white  and  several  shades 
of  light  purple  flowers,  which  are  double  and  borne  on  long  sub- 
stantial stems  that  retain  their  strength  with  drying.  The  plants 
are  robust  and  easily  grown  from  seed,  which  starts  readily  and 
may  be  sown  in  heat  or  where  the  plants  are  wanted. 

YUCCA  FILAMENTOSA— Adam's  Needle  {Hardy  Perennial). 

A  tropical-looking  plant,  with  long  narrow  leaves  that  remain 
green  the  esitire  year.  It  throws  up  a  strong  flower-stem  in  sum- 
mer, three  to  four  feet  high,  bearing  a  large  spike  of  creamy- 
white,  bell-shaped  flowers,  which  retain  their  beauty  a  longtime. 

ZINNIA,  DOUBLE   {Half-Hardy  Annual). 

The  improved  Double  Zinnia  of  the  present  day  is  emphatically 
one  of  the  most  valuable  annuals  that  can  be  grown,  and  deserv- 
ing of  a  place  in  every  flower  garden.  The  pla^t  is  robust,  free- 
growing  and  exceedingly  prolific  of  bloom,  and  may  be  easily 
raised  from  seed  sown  under  glass,  transplanting  the  plants  when 
small,  or  the  seed  may  be  sown  in  the  open  ground,  as  soon  as 
danger  from  frost  is  over.  The  flowers  from  good  seed  are  of  a 
beautiful  form  and  texture,  perfectly  double  in  the  best  sorts, 
and  afl'ord  white,  scarlet,  yellow,  purple,  salmon,  violet  and  other 
colors  in  the  different  varieties.  They  begin  to  appear  when  the 
plants  are  very  young,  retain  their  attractiveness  for  a  long  time, 


THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


309 


and  increase  in  number  and  beauty  until  hard  frosts.  While 
the  flowers  of  the  Zinnia,  like  those  of  many  other  choice  double 
seed-grown  plants,  will  not  invariably  come  double,  yet  enough 
may  be  depended  upon  to  produce  a  large  percentage  of  double  blos- 
soms from  the  best  strains  of  seed.  Let  the  plants  be  set  six  or 
seven  inches  apart,  in  rows  twenty  inches  apart,  and  then  as  they 
come  in  flower  thin  out  the  poorest,  and  thus  retain  plenty  of 
those  of  superior  quality.  This  thinning  must  be  done  with  cau- 
tion, and  several  flowers  should  be  allowed  to  form  on  a  plant  be- 
fore deciding  whether  to  pull  it  up  or  not,  for  plants  which  will 
in  season  produce  the  most  double  flowers,  frequently  show  their 
first  ones  only  partially  double.  The  Zinnia  will  thrive  in  any 
good  garden  soil. 


3IO  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


THE  FLORICULTURAL  OPERATIONS  OF 
THE  YEAR  ARRANGED  BY  WEEKS. 


The  successful  cultivation  of  plants  and  flowers  depends  large- 
ly on  the  performance  of  all  the  work  connected  therewith,  at 
the  right  times,  and  some  kind  of  a  reminder  of  the  various 
operations  as  they  should  occur,  is  serviceable  to  cultivators  and 
especially  to  those  who  can  devote  but  a  small  portion  of  their 
time  to  floriculture.  The  following  will  be  found  an  arrange- 
ment of  the  various  operations  of  the  florist  during  the  year, 
into  fifty-two  parts,  which  are  respectively  adapted  to  the  fifty- 
two  weeks  of  a  year.  It  is  most  perfect  in  its  application,  to 
latitudes  between  42°  and  43°,  and  persons  living  north  and  south 
of  this  should  calculate  somewhat  upon  the  difference  between 
their  own  latitude  and  this  one  in  making  use  of  the  arrangement. 

In  dividing  a  year  into  fifty-two  weekly  parts,  each  week  for 
the  sake  of  convenience  may  begin  on  the  same  day  that  the  first 
week  beginning  with  January  1  commences  on;  thus,  January 
1  falling  on  "Wednesday,  so  January  8,  January  15,  and  all  the 
dates  given  below  will  fall  on  Wednesday,  and  so  of  any  other 
day  of  the  week.  The  only  exception  to  this  is  after  February 
29,  during  a  leap-year,  and  here  the  difference  one  day  is  so 
slight  as  to  be  of  little  consequence. 

The  matter  under  each  weekly  head  is  -designed  for  the  week 
commencing  at  the  date  given.  Although  nearly  all  the  opera- 
tions named  may  with  safety  be  performed  either  at  a  time  pre- 
ceding or  following  the  week  under  which  they  appear,  those 
printed  in  italics  are  of  general  interest  at  the  season  in  which 
they  are  given,  without  reference  to  the  particular  week  they 
may  be  under. 

The  following  abbreviations  are  made  use  of  :  W  for  Window; 
Con.  for  Conservatory;  O.  A.  for  Open  Air;  C.  P.  for  Cold-Pit; 
W.  F.  for  Winter  Flowering. 


THE   HOME  FLORIST.  31I 

January  1— First  Week. 

Read  in  the  preceding  pages  all  about  the  required  temperature, 
adaptability  and  culture  of  each  plant  included  in  the  collection. 
Pay  strict  attention  to  airing  when  the  weather  is  mild,  watering, 
destroying  insects,  etc.,  in  the  Con.,  W.  and  C.  P.— See  Dec.  17 
and  Oct.  15.  Give  Callas,  hardy  forcing  bulbs,  etc.,  (see  list  Oct. 
8)  plenty  of  water.  Fuchsias  at  rest  may  be  started.  Repair  at 
once  any  glass  happening  to  get  broken. 

January  8— Second  Week. 

Give  plants  in  W.  extra  protection  during  severe  nights.  Study 
and  decide  early  what  improvements  it  would  be  desirable  to  make 
about  the  grounds;  also  to  what  extent  you  will  engage  in.  or  in^ 
crease  upon  floriculture  during  the  coming  year.  Ascertain  the 
number  of  plants,  etc.,  required,  and  govern  subsequent  propa- 
gations, the  procuring  of  plants,  seeds,  etc.,  accordingly. 

January  15 — Third  Week. 

Continue  to  bring  in  kinds  named  under  Oct.  8,  and  Roses,  etc., 
under  Oct.  29.  Tie  up  Hyacinths  and  other  flowering  plants. 
Keep  Pelargoniums  near  the  light.  Syringe  and  wash  plants,  etc. 
see  Nov.  26.  See  that  dormant  Canna  and  other  tubers,  etc., 
named  under  Oct.  8,  are  not  suffering  from  any  cause, 

January  22— Fourth  Week. 

Seeds  under  Feb.  19  may  be  sown,  for  early.  As  bulbs  pass  out 
of  flower,  cut  away  the  flower  stalks.  Keep  the  earth  in  the  pots 
mellow  at  the  top. — See  Dec.  17. 

January  29 — Fifth  Week. 

Make  hot-bed  sash,  etc. — see  Dec.  10.  Study  to  improve  plants 
by  pruning.  Encourage  W.  F.  Roses,  etc . ,  by  occasionally  ap- 
plying liquid  manure. 

February  5— Sixth  Week. 

February  is  the  month  for  propagating  from  cuttings,  all  kirds 
of  common  soft-wooded  plants  in  the  W.  and  Con.  for  adornment 
during  the  coming  year,  and  nearly  everything  will  now  strike 
readily,  therefore,  as  fast  as  suitable  growth  is  afforded  make  cut- 
tings and  propagate .  After  Poinsettias  have  flowered,  rest  them. 
Provide  seedling  Plants  named  under  Aug.  20,  and  Oct.  29,  with 
an  abundance  of  pot  room,  air,  and  light,  and  they  will  grow 
rapidly. 

February  12— Seventh  Week. 

Continue  to  bring  in  for  forcing,  kinds  named  under  Oct.  8,  and 
Roses,  etc.,  under  Oct.  29.  Starf  Chrysanthemums  to  propagute 
from.  Provide  an  abundance  of  manure  outside  for  future 
use. 


3-12  THE   HOME   FLORIST. 


February  19— Eighth  Week. 

Seeds  of  Pansy,  Verbena,  Salvia  Splendens,  Petunia,  Stock, 
Sweet  Alyssum,  Mimulus,  Maurandia,  Ice  Plant,  Sensitive  Plant, 
Delphinium,  Dianthus,  Antirrhinum  may  now  be  sown  to  secure 
strong  plants  for  spring  and  summer  flowering.  As  the  season  ad- 
vances plants  ivill  need  more  water,  and  shoidd  have  an  increase 
of  air;  be  ever  on  guard  against  insects — see  Oct.  15,  Dec.  17. 
Have  clean  pots  and  good  soil  on  hand  for  newly-started  plants. 

February  26— Ninth  Week. 

See  that  implements,  vases,  etc. ,  for  summer  use  are  in  repair. 
Give  all  cuttings  close  attention.  Perfect  plans  as  alluded  to  un- 
der Jan.  8.  Water  abundantly  all  plants  that  are  being  forced. 
Give  the  Fernery  daily  attention— see  Dec.  24.  See  that  climbers 
of  all  kinds  have  suitable  support. 

March  5— Tenth  Week. 

See  Cliat  a  proper  quantity  of  stock  is  coming  on,  either  by 
propagation  or  otherwise.  'Propagation  from  cuttings  should 
still  go  on  for  spring  plants,  and  Chrysanthemums,  Eupatoriums, 
Stevias,  Roses,  Carnations,  Violets,  Libonia,  Laurestinus,  Jas- 
minums,  W.  F.  Fuchsias,  Cytisus,  Chorozema,  Abutilons,  etc. ,  for 
W.  F.  be  struck.  Pinch  back  the  shoots  of  newly  started  plants 
to  induce  a  stocky  growth.  Pot  cuttings  as  soon  as  possible  after 
they  are  rooted.  Dormant  Lemon  Verbenas,  Richardias,  Ges- 
neras,  Mimulus,  and  the  like,  may  be  started  to  grow.  Out  door 
work,  such  as  grading,  trenching,  etc. ,  should  be  commenced  as 
early  as  the  soil  can  be  worked,  but  beware  of  digging  stiff,  loamy 
soil  when  it  is  wet. 

March  12— Eleventh  Week. 

Kinds  named  under  Oct.  8,  and  Roses,  etc.,  under  Oct.  29,  may 
still  be  brought  in.  Provide  j^ot  plants  ivith  all  the  room  needed 
for  developing  good  forms  now  that  they  are  growing  fast.  See 
''As  the  Season  Advances,''  etc.,  Feb.  19,  also  Oct.  15  and  Dec.  17. 

March  19 — Twelfth  Week. 

From  the  time  Camellias  start  into  growth  until  antumn  they 
require  to  be  shaded  from  the  sun;  will  also  need  more  water,  fre- 
quent syringing  and  may  be  pruned  if  desirable.  Attend  to  air- 
ing Ferneries,  see  Dec.  24.  Hot-beds  may  be  made  for  general 
purposes.  If  Anemone  Hortensis  tubers  have  been  kept  over, 
plant  at  first  opportunity.  Double  white  Primroses  may  be  prop- 
agated by  cuttings  or  division. 

March  26— Thirteenth  Week. 

Seeds  of  Gomphrena,  Coboea,  Amaranthus,  Celosia,  Ipomoea, 
Thunbergia,  Canary  Pird  Flower,  Canna,  etc.,  may  be  sown  in  heat. 
Hot-beds  shoidd  be  very  carefully  aired,  watered  and  protected; 
allow  for  the  admittauce  of  a  little  air  during  the  night  time 


THE  HOME   FLORIST.  313 

when  the  weather  is  mild.  Lilies  may  be  started  in  pots.  Olean- 
ders, Oranges  and  Lemons,  Cactus,  Pomegranates,  Hydrangeas, 
may  be  started  into  new  growth ;  repotting  if  needed.  Calceo- 
larias, Cinerarias,  Pelargoniums,  may  be  treated  to  liquid  manure 
occasionally.  Give  cutting  close  attention;  pot  off  when  slightly 
rooted.  Bedding  and  other  plants  in  pots  will  do  well  in  a  good 
hot-bed.  Push  out-door  work  as  the  season  will  allow.  A  good 
share  of  the  protection  applied  to  beds,  plants,  etc.,  in  the  fall 
should  be  removed  if  not  yet  done.  Sodding  may  be  done  as 
soon  as  the  ground  is  settled. 

April  2— Fourteenth  Week. 

Cuttings  may  still  be  made  of  Verbenas,  Petunias,  Achyran- 
thes,  Coleus,  Salvias,  Heliotropes,  Fuchsias,  German  Ivy,  etc.,  for 
summer  decoration,  and  the  kinds  named  under  March  5th  for  W. 
F.  Seeds  of  Acroclinum,  Aster,  Balsam,  Browalia,  Cacalia, 
Celosia,  Helichrysum,  Helipterum,  Japanese  Maize,  Marigold, 
Petunia;  Ricinus,  Phlox  Drummondii,  Portulaca,  Scabiosa, 
Stocks  of  all  kinds,  Tropaeolum,  Wall  Flower,  Xeranthemum, 
Double  Zinnia,  and  those  named  under  Feb.  19  may  be  sown  in 
heat.  If  the  soil  is  dry  Hardy  Perennials  may  be  taken  up, 
divided  and  reset,  as  required,  and  Lilies  be  planted. 

April  9 — Fifteenth  Week. 

Not  much  fire  heat  is  likely  to  be  needed  after  this  date  in  the 
Con. — see  ''As  the  Season  Advances,'"  etc,,  binder  Feb.  19.  Dah- 
lias, Caladiums,  Cannas,  Amaryllis,  Vallota,  and  similar  things, 
maybe  started  in  heat.  As  the  soil  becomes  fit.  Candytuft,  Sweet 
Pea,  Convolvulus  minor.  Mignonette,  Clarkia,  Sweet  Alyssum, 
Briza,  Coix  Lachryma,  Lupinus,  may  be  sown  in  the  O.  A. 
Overhaul  plants  remaining  in  the  C.  P.  and  give  almost  full  ex- 
posure to  the  air. 

April  16 — Sixteenth  Week. 

Keep  ivatch  of  the  seed-beds,  ivatering  ivhen  necessary,  removing 
weeds,  and  thinning  and  transplanting  plants  that  stand  too 
close.  Watch  for  and  destroy  all  insects  in  the  W.,  Con.,  etc.,  as 
with  warm  weather  they  multiply  rapidly  —see  Dec.  17.  If  W. 
plants  can  be  set  outdoors  during  a  warm  shower  they  will  be 
benefited.  Early  hanging  baskets  may  be  planted.  Sow  lawns, 
if  ready.  Divide  and  reset  edgings  of  Statice.  Plant  out  Trito- 
mas,  etc.  Secure  plenty  of  loamy  turf,  manure,  refuse  hops,  etc., 
for  potting  soil. 

April  33— Seventeenth  Week. 

Start  Tuberose  bulbs  in  a  warm  place.  Pot  up  and  shade 
young  Double  White  Primroses.  Cold-frames  may  be  sown  with 
seeds  named  under  April  2,  etc.  Hot-beds  may  still  be  sown.  If 
they  have  been  well  aired.  Carnations,  Pinks,  Violets,  for  W.  F., 
etc. ,  also  Veronicas,  Penstemons.  and  Pansies,  may  be  planted 
out.  Make  a  planting  of  Gladiolus,  and  continue  doing  so  at 
intervals  of  ten  days  or  two  weeks,  until  June  15. 


314  THE   HOME  FLORIST. 

April  30— Eighteenth  Week. 

Give  an  abundance  of  air  to  all  plants;  attend  to  pinching  back 
such  as  need  it.  All  plants  will  need  close  attention  now  as 
regards  watering,  lest  they  suffer  from  drying  out — see  Feb.  19 
and  Dec.  17.  See  "Keep  watch  of  Seed-beds,  etc.,  April  16. 
3Iow  the  lawn  as  soon  as  a  little  growth  of  grass  has  been  made; 
repeat  every  two  weeks  or  oftener,  during  the  season. 

May  7— Nineteenth  Week. 

If  well-hardened,  Roses,  Verbenas,  and  the  hardiest  annuals 
and  other  plants  may  be  set  out.  See  "  Transplanting."  Seeds 
may  be  sown  in  the  O.  A.  of  Animated  Oats,  Amaranthus, 
Amobium,  Antirrhinum,  Aster,  Browalia,  Cacalia,  Calendula, 
Calliopsis,  Campanula,  Agrostemma,  Clarkia,  Morning  Glory, 
Erysimum,  Escholtzia,  Godetia,  Grasses,  Gypsophila,  Helian- 
thus,  Helichrysum,  Leptosiphon,  Nemophila,  Pansy,  Petunia, 
Phlox  Drummondii,  Poppy,  Portulaca,  Salpiglossis,  Scabiosa, 
Ten-week  Stock,  Tropseolum,  Virginian  Stock,  Xeranthemum, 
Double  Zinnia  besides  those  named  under  Aug.  13.  The  ventila- 
tors of  the  Con.  may  be  kept  open  almost  constantl3^  See  that 
no  Red-Spider  affect  Roses,  Fuchsias,  etc.  This  is  a  very  small 
insect  appearing  on  the  under-side  of  leaves,  in  large  numbers, 
and  causing  them  to  turn  brown  and  finally  to  drop — see  May  21. 
Cut  away  flower  stems  of  bulbs  out  of  bloom,  but  let  the  leaves 
grow. 

May  14— Twentieth  Week. 

The  planting  out  of  all  but  the  most  tender  plants  may  go  on. 
Plant  out  Dahlia  tubers.  Sow  seeds  of  Solanum  in  jDots,  for 
autumn  and  winter  decoration,  and  in  the  open  air  tender  annuals, 
such  as  Balsam,  Calandrina,  Celosia,  Helipterum,  Japanese  Maize, 
Marigold  and  Mirabilis.  Keep  a  lookout  for  Rose  Saw-flies — see 
'^Insects  Injurious  to  Roses,"  page  117. 

May  21— Twenty-first  Week. 

The  glass  of  the  Con.  may  be  shaded,  except  over  Noisette  and 
other  Roses.  These  should  be  syringed  frequently,  as  also  shoidd 
Camellias,  Fuchsias  and  other  plants  kept  in  during  summer.  To 
create  moisture  for  preventing  attacks  of  Red  Spider,  water 
should  also  at  all  times  be  freely  used  on  the  walks  and  about  the 
Con.  The  ventilators  should  be  kept  open,  Azaleas  may  be  re- 
potted and  moved  out ;  also  Agaves,  Caladiums,  Dracenas  and 
other  ornamental  pot  plants,  designed  for  the  lawn,  etc.  Winter- 
flowering  Roses,  Bouvardia,  Jasminums,  Poinsettias,  and  those 
named  March  5,  to  be  grown  in  pots  during  summer,  should  be 
moved  to  the  O.  A.  and  carefully  plunged  in  soil  or  other  sub- 
stance to  prevent  their  drying  out;  each  one  should  be  placed  on 
a  stone,  pot-sherd  or  slate,  to  prevent  angle  worms  entering 
through  the  hole  below.  House  plants  may  be  moved  to  summer 
quarters.  Vases,  hanging  baskets,  etc. ,  may  be  put  out,  and  new 
ones  still  be  planted.   Fuchsias,  Geraniums,  Ageratums,  Cupheas, 


THE  HOME  FLORIST.  315 

Petunias,  Heliotropes,  etc.,  make  handsome  pot  plants  for  fall 
blooming  if  propagated  now,  and  kept  pinched  back  for  eight 
weeks.  Plant  out  Bouvardia,  started  Dahlias,  Coleus.  also  Tig- 
ridia,  Amaryllis,  Vallota,  and  sow  Ricinus,  Acroclinium,  Rhod- 
anthe,  Ipomoea  and  other  tender  seeds.  If  not  yet  done,  W.  F. 
Fuchsias  should  be  given  a  rest. 

May  28— Twenty-second  Week. 

Tropseolums  and  Heliotropes,  for  W.  F.,  may  be  propagated; 
also  a  general  collection  of  such  things  as  will  be  useful  for  win- 
ter decoration,  including  plants  with  ornamental  foliage,  and  for 
Ferneries,  also  Ivies,  and  the  freest -growing  plants  named  under 
March  5.  New  lawns  yet  to  be  sown,  should  be  seeded  with  as 
little  delay  as  possible.  Any  of  the  seeds  named  under  May  7-14, 
etc.,  may  still  be  sown  in  the  O.  A.  Be  prepared  to  destroy  Rose 
Slugs  as  they  appear — See  June  18,  also  July  9. 

June  4 — Twenty-third  Week. 

Planting  of  Geraniums,  Verbenas,  and  all  started  bedding 
plants  is  still  in  order.  Set  out  young  Tuberose  bulblets.  Callas 
should  be  given  a  rest  of  several  months  when  done  flowering. 
Keep  Double  White  Primroses  in  shade  and  give  plenty  of  space. 

June  11 — Twenty-fourth  Week. 

Pinch  back  Carnations,  Bouvardia,  and  other  W.  F.  plants  that 
require  it.  After  all  x)lants  for  out-doors  have  been  moved  from 
the  Con.  it  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  for  the  summer.  Wash 
empty  pots.     Watch  for  and  destroy  Chafers  on  Rose  bushes. 

June  18 — Twenty-fifth  Week. 

Peg  down  Verbenas  and  other  trailing  bedding  plants.  See 
"Summer  Culture,'"  "Watering  Plants,""  etc.,'"  "Removal  of  2Ia- 
tured  Flowers.^^  Mow  the  lawn  frequently.  Maintain  neatness  in 
all  parts  of  the  grounds.  Water  hanging  baskets,  vases,  pot 
plants,  etc.,  abundantly.  Syringe  and  use  water  fi^eely  in  the 
Con.,  not  neglecting  Camellias.  Provide  Sweet  Pea,  Morning 
Glory,  and  all  other  climbers  with  support,  as  needed. 

June  25— Twenty-sixth  Week. 

Repot,  if  necessary,  Roses,  and  other  W.  F.  plants  named  and 
alluded  to  under  May  21,  and  keep  well  watered  and  plunged. 
Propagation  of  plants  named  and  alluded  to  under  May  28  may 
still  go  on.  As  strong  young  shoots  of  Perennials,  Roses, 
Shrubs,  etc.,  are  formed,  layering  may  be  done. 

July  2— Twenty-Seventh  Week. 

Any  building  or  improvement  of  Conservatories  which  is  con- 
templated, also  repairing  of  glass,  etc  ,  should  be  done,  to  have 
them  ready  for  plants  in  Sept.  and  Oct.  Sweet  Alyssum,  Ten- 
week  Stock,  Mignonette,  and  the  other  kinds  named  under  Aug. 
20,  may  be  sown  for  W.  F.  Candytuft,  Mignonette.  Phlox, 
Erisymum,  may  be  sown  in  O.  A.  or  frames  for  late  blooming. 


3l6  THE    HOME   FLORIST. 

July  9 — Twenty-eighth  Week. 

Keep  edgings  clipped,  and  cut  the  edges  of  grass  borders  occa- 
sionally.    Allow  no  iveeds  to  grow  either  in  the  walks  or  beds. 

July  16— Twenty-ninth  Week. 

Layering  of  Carnations,  Pinks,  Roses,  etc.,  should  receive  at- 
tention where  suitable  growth  is  afforded — see  June  11  and  18. 

July  23— Thirtieth  Week. 

Should  the  season  prove  dry,  Dahlias,  Carnations,  newly-plant 
ed  trees,  etc.,  will  be  benefited  by  mulching.     Plants  alluded  to 
under  May  28  may  still  be  propagated.  Seeds  of  the  kinds  named 
under  August  13  and  20  may  be  sown  thus  early. 

July  30— Thirty-first  Week. 

Pinch  and  use  the  knife  freely  on  monthly  Roses  and  all  rapid- 
growing  plants — see  "Pruning."     For  potting  soil,  see  April   16. 
After  they  are  done   flowering  give  Pelargoniums  a  rest.     For 
^Rust  on  Roses" — see  page  118. 

August  6— Thirty-second  Week. 

Callas  may  be  started  to  grow.  Keep  flowering  Dahlias,  Glad- 
iolus, Lilies,  etc.,  tied  to  stakes.  The  re-potting  of  Oleanders, 
etc. ,  named  under  March  26,  is  seasonable,  after  they  have  made 
a  growth.  Carnations,  for  early  winter  flowers  should  receive 
their  last  heading  back. 

August  13— Thirty-third  Week. 

Winter-flowering  Fuchsias  may  be  started.  Propagation  of 
Geraniums  and  other  plants  alluded  to  under  Sept.  10  may  be  be- 
gun. As  they  require  it  re-pot  W.  F.  plants  named  and  alluded 
to  under  May  21.  Sow  Seeds  of  Pansy,  Hollyhock,  Delphinum, 
Dianthus,  Aquilegia,  Canterbury  Bells,  Digitalis,  Lychnis, 
Myosotis,  Perennial  Poppy,  Lobelia  Cardinalis,  Antirrhinum,  and 
all  other  Perennials  and  Biennials — see  June  18,  also  July  11. 

August  20— Thirty-fourth  Week. 

Sow  for  winter  and  spring  decoration,  Calceolaria,  Cineraria, 
Coboea  Scandens,  Cyclamen,  Primula,  Smilax,  Ten- Week  Stock. 
For  drying  everlastings  gather  before  fully  expanded,  tie  in  small 
bunches,  and  hang  in  the  shade.  In  gathering  seed,  save  that  only 
from  the  best  flowers. 

August  27— Thirty-fifth  Week. 

Provide  pots,  potting  soil,  fuel,  etc.  Lilium  Candidum  may 
now  be  reset.    Layering  may  still  be  kept  up. 

September  3— Thirty-sixth  Week. 

Giva  Fuchsias  rest  as  they  cease  to  flower.  Remove  runners, 
and  cut  back  W.  F.  Violets— see  July  2. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  317 


September  10— Thirty- seventh  Week. 

Bouvardias  and  others  of  the  more  tender  plants  for  winter 
decoration  aJso  Tuberoses  not  yet  done  flowering,  may  be  taken 
up  and  potted.  Propagation  of  a  general  stock  of  tender  plants 
should  be  engaged  in,  which  are  to  be  increased  during  the  fall 
and  winter  for  spring  and  later  use.  Those  named  under  October 
1  may  be  deferred  until  then.  Repot  such  W.  F.  plants  named 
and  alluded  to  under  May  21  as  require  it. 

September  17 — Thirty-eighth  Week. 

Hardy  bulbs  named  under  Oct.  8  may  be  planted  in  the  O.  A.  or 
started  for  forcing.  Be  on  your  guard  against  frosts,  and  pro- 
tect for  a  week  or  two  longer,  or  take  in,  all  W.  F.  plants,  for  the 
window  or  conservatory.  Vases,  hanging  baskets  and  the  showy 
pot  plants  named  under  May  21,  may  be  left  out  longer  by  care- 
fully protecting  in  cool  and  frosty  nights. 

September  24— Thirty-ninth  Week. 

See  "Treatment  of  Plants  designed  for  W.  F.,"  also  Eoses. 
Pelargoniums  may  be  cut  back  and  started  into  growth.  Give 
cuttings  close  attention  daily,  and  see  ''Keep  watch  of  seed-beds,^'' 
etc..  April  16.  Lift  Carnations,  Violets  and  other  plants  of  a 
similar  degree  of  hardiness,  that  are  designed  for  winter  flower- 
ing. Propagation  should  continue  to  go  on  with  all  tender 
plants.  A  little  flre  heat  may  be  needed  on  cool,  frosty  nights. 
— See  Oct.  15.     The  bulbs  under  Oct.  8,  may  be  planted. 

October  1— Fortieth  Week. 

Ferneries  for  winter  adornment  may  be  planted.  Petunias, 
Centaureas,  Carnations,  Pinks,  can  be  propagated  better  now 
than  earlier;  Verbenas  strike  well  yet.  Chrysanthemums  may  he 
stimulated  with  liquid  7nanure.  Pot  cuttings,  soon  as  they  are 
rooted;  thin  out,  transplant  or  pot  any  seedlings  ivhich  may  re- 
quire it.  Sow,  for  early  plants  next  year,  Clarkia,  Calliopsis, 
Candytuft,  Erysimum,  Mignonette,  Nemophila,  Perennial  and 
Sweet  Pea,  Larkspur. 

October  8— Forty-first  Week. 

Now  is  the  time  for  planting  in  the  O.  A.,  or  starting  in  pots, 
etc.,  for  forcing,  the  hardy  bulbs  of  Hyacinth,  Tulip,  Crocus, 
Narcissus,  Jonquil,  Lilium  Longiflorum,  Iris,  Crown  Imperial, 
Snowdrop,  etc.  After  sharp  frosts,  take  up,  dry  and  store  aAvay 
for  winter,  Canna,  Caladium,  Dahlia,  Amaryllis,  Gladiolus,  Tig- 
ridia,  and  Tuberose,  bulbs,  etc.     Commence  drying  off  Vallota. 

October  15 — Forty-second  Week. 

Give  plants  in  the  Con.,  W.  and  the  C.  P.,  an  abundance  of  air 
daily  as  long  as  the  iveather  will  admit,  and  also  some  later  all 
during  the  winter.  By  no  chance  allow  a  higher  temperature  to 
exist  at  night  than  woidd  be  suitable  in  the  daytime,  neither  strive 


3l8  .    THE   HOME  FLORIST. 

to  l^eep  as  high  a  degree  in  cloudy  iceather  as  in  clear ;  never  sub- 
ject plants  of  any  kind,  and  especially  Roses,  to  strong  drafts  of 
air  ;  open  ventilators  in  the  Con.  on  the  side  away  from  the  wind 
in  cold  iceather.  Secure  Lemon  Verbena  plants.  Haul,  manure, 
sand,  etc.,  under  shelter  for  winter  use.  See  "  Taking  Up  Plants 
in  the  Fall."     On  Insects,  Watering,  etc.— See  Dec.  17. 

October  22— Forty-third  Week. 

Take  up  Feverfews,  Penstemons,  Veronicas,  for  stock  plants. 
Oleanders  and  other  hard-wooded  plants  named  under  March  26, 
may  be  placed  in  winter  quarters.     Water  Callas  abundantly. 

October  29 — Forty-fourth  Week. 

Sweet  Alyssum,  Mignonette,  Ten  week  Stock,  Maurandia, 
Browalia,  etc.,  may  be  sown  for  winter  and  spring  decoration. 
Young  plants  of  Carnation,  Chrysanthemum,  Stevia,  Eupator- 
ium,  Pink,  Violet,  that  are  too  small  for  flowering,  may  he  kept 
safely  during  icinter  at  a  night  temperature  of  4:0"  to  45°.  Roses, 
Deutzias,  Dicentras,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Pinks,  Daisies,  Violets, 
Astilbe  Japonica,  for  winter  and  spring  forcing,  may  be  taken  up, 
potted  and  stored  in  the  C.  P.  or  cellar.  In  taking  them  in  from 
the  C.  P.,  etc.,  dialing  winter,  never  commence  forcing  too  rapidly; 
the  same  with  hardy  bulbs. 

November  5 — Forty-fifth  Week. 

Hardy  bvlbs  named  under  Oct.  8,  may  be  planted  in  the  O.  A., 
as  long  as  the  ground  remains  open,  and  be  started  for  forcing 
two  months  yet.  Fall  struck  cuttings  and  seedling  plants  in  small 
pots  should  be  shifted  as  required.  Be  very  particular  not  to  al- 
low the  seedlings,  named  under  Aug.  20,  to  become  pot-bound. 

November  12— Forty-sixth  Week. 

At  this  season  the  grounds  should  be  cleaned  up  generally; 
vases,  etc.,  secured;  rubbish  and  dead  plants  removed;  manure 
applied;  beds  worked  over,  etc.  The  earliest  started  bulbs,  for 
forcing,  named  under  Oct.  8  may  be  brought  in.  On  the  care  of 
Ferneries,  see  page  51  and  under  Dec.  24. 

November  19 — Forty-seventh  Week. 

Protect,  by  laying  down  or  otherwise,  Roses,  Shrubs,  etc.,  be- 
fore the  winter  sets  in  severely;  mulch  the  roots  for  a  good  dis- 
tance around.  For  airing,  temperature,  etc.,  of  the  Con.  and 
W.,  see  Oct.  15.  For  watering  plants,  destroying  insects,  etc.,  see 
Dec.  17. 

November  26— Forty-eighth  Week. 

Improve  plants  by  p)inching  and  pruning.  Wash  the  foliage  of 
Ivies,  Wax  Plant,  Camellias  and  other  house  plants  occasionally, 
and  syringe  Roses  in  the  Con.  frequently.  Cuttings  of  such  plants 
as  stock  appears  short  of  should  be  made  at  first  opportunity.  See 
"Removal  of  Matured  Flowers,"  page  31. 


THE   HOME   FLORIST.  319 

December  3— Forty-ninth  Week. 

As  soon  as  the  ground  is  frozen,  a  dressing  of  straw  or  hay 
should  be  applied  to  beds  of  fall-planted  hardy  bulbs.  Pansies, 
and  other  tall-grown  seedlings.  Top-dress  the  lawn  with  well- 
rotted  manure  if  the  soil  has  become  impoverished.  Chrysanthe- 
mums, after  flowering  should  be  cut  down  and  moved  to  the 
cellar,  under  Con.  staging  or  some  other  similar  place.  See  that 
Tuberose  bulbs  are  stored  in  a  warm  place;  also  that  all  bulbs, 
seeds,  tubers,  etc.,  are  secure  and  safe  from  frost,  mice,  etc. 

December  10— Fiftieth  Week. 

Give  extra  protection  to  plants  in  the  W.  in  severe  cold  flights. 
Bring  in,  for  forcing,  kinds  named  under  Oct.  8  and  Roses,  etc., 
under  Oct.  29.  During  the  leisure  of  winter  make  hot-bed  sash, 
mats,  rustic  work,  trellises,  etc. 

December  17 — Fifty-first  Week. 

Keep  the  earth  mellow  in  pots,  and  the  pots  clean.  Should  the 
soil  become  hard,  7'emove  the  top  and  replace  ivith  fresh  earth. 
Guard  stinctly  against  and  destroy  all  insects.  If  a  plant  becomes 
infested,  never  allow  it  to  stand  among,clean  ones.  In  the  Con. 
fumigate  with  tobacco  frequently  as  a  j)reventive.  Aim  to  icater 
all  plants  just  enough  and  no  more.  In  the  winter,  as  a  rule,  never 
vmter  except  in  the  forenoon.  Provide  plants  with  stakes  when- 
ever they  are  required.     On  airing  Con.  and  W.  see  Oct.  15, 

December  24— Fifty-second  Week. 

Pay  attention  to  propagating  such  planta  as  are  ivanted  large 
or  early,  or  of  which  stock  is  scarce.  Air  the  Fernery  a  little  daily, 
remove  decayed  leaves  orfloicers,  and  if  water  is  needed  api^ly  it 
moderately,  without  fear  of  harm.  As  the  different  Eupatoriums 
and  Stevias  pass  out  of  flower,  cut  down  to  induce  a  new  growth 
from  which  to  propagate. 


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